Raising the Blinds with Spiritual Enlightenment -- Inspirational Life Quotes

Before sunlight can shine through a window, the blinds must be raised.
American Proverb

Light – the presence of energy that reveals what is – colors, depth, space, hues of moments and breaths emerging on the surfaces of our brains – revealing something – nothing – everything.

We are looking for that something. From one day and time to the next – we are looking for different somethings. We don’t really know what we are looking for – does it even exist – is it hidden behind – beneath – inside of something – someone? We don’t know. This is the place to begin. I don’t know what or where or who I am looking for – there is a darkness.

In our unknowingness, something must change – something must move – an opening must form that exposes our brains to Light – spiritual enlightenment – a Presence beyond sight and sound – experienced with our hearts – Light that pulls ourselves back into our own consciousness – by allowing Their Presence to flow – into our hearts – illuminating our unthinking brains.

Before light can shine through a window, there must be a window.

How obvious? But missed. A window – an opening – the presence of open Presence – through which life can enter.

For some, it seems simple. A spiritual presence, with a spiritual guide, and there appears openings.

For some, more complex – a need for intense and consistent spiritual therapy – an IV line to our brains -- through which massive doses of Presence can flow – specifically into the missing voids of seething absence.

Reach out and touch others – smile, be present – and listen – messages, voices, intimate spiritual conversations, emerging, opening -- time stills -- Light shines -- and we see – more and more – what we were looking for --all along.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirations Clothing, Daily Inspirations Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

Laying Our Lives at God's Feet -- Spiritual Enlightenment

My imperfections and failures are as much
a blessing from God as my successes and my talents,
and I lay them both at His feet.
Mahatma Gandhi

What if every morning, we received an email of God, labeled, “My Will for You Today”? And what if in the email, God told us everything we were supposed to do and everything that would happen? Wouldn’t that just be great?! It would take all the guess work out of life.

No. It would not be great. It would be like being given the answers for a pending test before the test. There would be no motivation to learn and grow.

With all the answers given, we would not bother to develop a relationship with God – and we would cease to become -- and be close.

The same is true of our imperfections and failures. They are our means of developing intimate Presence with God. Without them, our human brains would convince us that spiritual struggles with myself and efforts to grow – and become -- are unnecessary. And we would live lonely, meaningless lives -- without conscious Presence of a caring, loving God who brings all the pieces of the human experience into a spiritual whole.

“I lay them both at His feet.” It makes sense to lay our imperfections and failures, but why our successes and talents?

Our human brain is preoccupied with outcomes as a means of making ourselves “happy”—actually for protecting us from painful consequences – painful separation. The reality is that success and talent can be as much a trap, as imperfections and failures can be a gift.

Success can lull us into the illusion that we can control the outcomes of our lives – and that when we do, we will be happy. Both conclusions are false and extremely harmful.

We need to accept and experience our powerlessness in our failures -- see caring Presence in our successes – hear that Someone is looking out for our best interests and needs – and continue to surrender our outcomes His and Her loving care.

What we have placed at Their feet no longer has the power to control or threaten our serenity -- we can truly Be.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirations Clothing, Daily Inspirations Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

Humbly Listening to Presence -- Daily Inspirations to Spiritual Enlightenment

There is a guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word…. Place yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which flows into your life. Then, without effort, you are impelled to truth and to perfect contentment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Each writer uses different words and combinations of words to express and communicate same and similar experiences. Words are receptacles of human energy, which can become filled with spiritual Presence energy and then lived beyond what we could even begin to ask for or think.

There is a higher Presence that resides and resonates within each of us. Hence writers have talked about recognizing and “worshipping” the God that is within all of us –individually and collectively.

That Presence – “a guidance for each of us” – is able to begin to clear our brains of mindless frightened chatter, and begin to reveal to us the higher meaning and direction of our lives – spiritual experiences leading to spiritual awakenings, resulting in spiritual enlightenment. With this guiding Presence, we become increasingly alive and aware.

Implied in these words is the necessity to experience, admit, and accept that of our own abilities, we cannot know! This is required in order to go to the next level.

“Lowly” simply means humble – an active spiritual awareness that we are unable to know and to do life alone -- and that there is Someone there – hidden behind rows and rows of thought within our brains – Someone who is speaking – caringly and lovingly to our hearts – when we can listen.

We are not alone.

As we learn to listen, we begin to hear the “right words”. Words again are containers full of energy. Distorted by our hidden pasts, the neural energy of words destroys and harm. Freed by conscious Presence with the God of our intimate experience, the energy of “right words” heals – spiritually transforms our perceptions and reactions into “rightness” or personal sanity and health.

To access this spiritual Presence on regular basis, we need to place ourselves into the very center of the spiritual stream of God’s Presence and spiritual enlightenment, which flows even now right through our lives – our conscious experiences of living.

It is critical to let God, our higher Presence, reveal this incredible stream of spiritual energy that is ever present and available to all of us.

When we learn to live within these spiritual experiences and Presence, we will find ourselves accessing an infinitely higher awareness, and experiencing a serenity that exceeds all human thinking – and WITHOUT EFFORT!

“Impossible”, says our brains. “Life is only as “good” as we make it,” -- one of the many lies received from our brains.

“Without effort” or effortless: The Bible says, “what man, by willing it to be so, can add one inch to his height?” We are powerless – alone. Intimately connected to our God, we become – merely by having and improving our conscious contact with Him and Her. Spiritual enlightenment and healing comes from conscious Presence with God – “not by our works, lest any man boast”

Let’s take some deep breaths – slow and easy – feeling the rhythm and motion of our bodies – being exactly where we are at this moment – unconditionally perfect, loved – and admired – by our loving higher Parents. We are not alone. Feel their Presence. Begin to allow their caring energy to flow through you – becoming engulfed in the steady glowing stream of their love. And listen – words will appear and begin to dissolve – the pure spirit that flows from Their heart will lift us from our worldly distractions – and we are becoming spiritually enlightened beyond our thoughts and human perceptions.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirations Clothing, Daily Inspirations Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

Finding Wonders of Daily Inspirations in Darkness and Silence

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.

Helen Keller

I have always been impressed with the wisdom and depth of Helen Keller's words. Here we have someone who was blind and deaf -- absent of the two main physical sources of sensation and awareness -- who was able to "see and hear" way beyond what is normal for human beings. The depth of her vision and insight, and her ability to hear our humanity in her dark and silent world reminds us that we do not have to be limited by our humanness.

"Everything has its wonder" -- in every situation there is the unknown. Our human condition can paint pain and dread on to the canvasses of our brains. We can expect only the worst -- only what our shame and separation describes as "what we deserve!"

"I wonder what horrible thing is going to happen to me to day." Prerecorded, programmed messages on the filters of our brains that tells us, "it's coming -- and it's going to be bad!"

How do we get from here to "wonder"?

My shame and guilt are the results of separation and experiences of abandonment from others. They have programmed our brains this way. To change this, we must become connected -- intimately -- to a higher Presence -- a "God" of our life experience. In this relationship, we can begin to take on "God's Vision" of what is, and who we are. His (and Her) views of life and of us are very different from ours -- full of wonder and expectant joy -- wondering what we are going to do next -- like a parent watches their infant, toddler -- child.

"Even in darkness and silence" Maybe more accurately, in darkness and silence we begin to experience depths of true wonder. Many times we become so distracted by the blaring noises, and blinding lights of our world, that any possible wonder is drowned out by sheer overstimulation.

Actually, my experience is that we need to return and be returned to the basics of darkness and silence so we can find wonder, Presence, and hope. Out of this spiritual darkness comes a different light that only our hearts can see -- a still small voice that only our hearts can hear -- in silence.

The irony is that the human brain is programmed to avoid and condemn darkness and silence as if it were an evil plague. It's time to receive spiritual enlightenment and Presence that recreates our being in the dark and silent womb of unknowing -- the wisdom and intimacy that is born out of not knowing.

As we begin to live in this new perceptions -- with these new spiritual senses -- we begin to see and hear past what the brain defines as what is, moving into contentment and serenity, and eventually into love, Presence, and expectant wonderment.

"What's next! Something wonderful is getting ready to happen!"

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirations Clothing, Daily Inspirations Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

The Courage to Be Humanly Conscious and Spiritually Enlightened

Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger -- misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with all its sorrows is good, that everything is meaningful even if in a sense beyond our understanding, and that there is always tomorrow.

Dorothy Thompson

In January, 2003, Liz was diagnosed with a reoccurrence of colon cancer -- the second time since her original diagnosis in 1995. It was beginning to affect her back and left leg. causing incredible pain, and difficulty walking. The picture above was taken two to three weeks before she died -- in 2005. She was on her way to a support group that had been a major part of her life for fourteen years, and lunch with her friends. I really don't remember if she was actually able to go to lunch -- but that was her intent when we left the house.

I took the picture -- and lots of similar pictures -- because I was so impressed with her incredible courage. I don't believe I could have done what she did.

Courage -- I think it's about perception and our relationship with a God of our personal experience and relationship. Courage is seeing into life and its myriad facets of events, circumstances and outcomes -- and seeing a meaning and purpose that cannot be seen with human eyes -- it can only be experienced by a human heart filled with God's Presence.

Courage is believing the unseen -- and living each moment -- each breath -- in the currents and waves of the unknown and uncontrollable -- opening ourselves to feel and experience and risk being fully human -- and loved fully spiritual.

We are the chosen, the called, the awake and present -- we are meant to live "heart wide open" -- to become "rivers of loving life" to others by being human and spiritually present -- all in the same moment.

Conscious life takes courage -- it requires God's Presence -- it involves a willingness to grieve and hurt and be sad -- and to risk joy and serenity, and closeness with God.

It take courage to do more than just believe in God -- instead to actively live in intimate Presence with God.

There will always be a tomorrow -- I believe Liz "knew" that -- even if it is means leaving --

and going Home.

Courage -- remembering not to forget.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirational Clothing, Daily Inspiration Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

Self-Forgiveness Begins with the Spiritual Enlightenment of God's Presence

Sometimes the past is so painful to think about that your only salvation lies in complete surrender to the mercy of God. Only in Him are you given the strength and courage it takes to keep on walking when every step is hard. But, finally, after what can seem like an endless journey in the darkness of your own regret, you come upon the light again. You have no doubt who has set you free, for only One who is author of forgiveness would give you still another chance.
Marianne Williamson

The past can be painful, whether the outcomes were desired or undesired. In my experience, accomplishments frequently reminded me that I was expecting a certain event or series of events to make me happy, and when they failed, I was left even more hopelessly lost.


Ultimately, I am forced to surrender – to stop buying the illusion of my possible control of what is, and of how I will perceive and feel as a result. I am powerless – I cannot control what is or how I react to what is – the past reoccurs on the screens of my mind as if current and happening. These inner images are programmed to continue repeating themselves indefinitely if not changed.

I am left no choice but to turn to the loving and merciful Presence of God – to change and spiritually heal my experience and perceptions. In His (and Her) Presence I am given the sanity of strength and courage to keep putting one thought, and one feeling – one moment and one breath at a time – in front of the other.


My journey seems endless because it is recycling my past -- over and over again -- with greater and greater darkness – repeating abandonment and separation. The Light – God’s loving Presence – begins to glow – and the walls of my inner prison begin to dissolve. I am being taught and reprogrammed to see me with God’s eyes – and They hold nothing against me – They are teaching me to experience Their truth – and I am able, with their love and caring, to forgive and admire myself – and love me with Their unconditional love – and admiration.


We really are Their children – created out of their infinite love.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirational Clothing, Daily Inspiration Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

I've Been Disconnected -- Our Need for Daily Inspirations and Spiritual Enlightenment

(From a relationship group in 2008.)
I WANT

Better acceptance of myself so I can…
work through my own guilt and shame…
better insight to establish… and maintain healthy… lasting
relationships… with healthy people…
greater self awareness in relationships with others…
acceptance and flow of life and events…
to be conscious of the Presence of a Higher Power … so that I
will intuitively know how to handle situations … that
used to baffle me… decrease the trajectory of my
overreaction…

I don’t know?

Life, especially as affected by childhood traumas, can be an ongoing process of becoming disconnected. Every time someone disconnected from and abandoned us, and every time we disconnected from and abandoned someone else, we became more and more disconnected from our selves.

Into these holes we attempted to insert knowledge and understanding to fill the emptiness, and give direction. Within our relationships, we ended up like blind persons attempting to fly a plane by sound. Disconnected from our sense of conscious Presence, we did not know -- if we were up or down -- where the other planes were or weren’t -- inevitably the flights of our relationships almost always ended in deathly crashes of selves.

We desperately believed that our problem was a lack of information -- the real problem was an absence of Presence-Connection with the God of a personal experience.

In the absence of personal Presence, we continue to lose parts of ourselves -- like having the blood flow cut off from parts of our body. We have lost major parts of ourselves, but we can be restored -- by reconnecting these parts – lost selves -- back to a Higher Presence. God’s messengers of loving Presence are here – whenever we are available – wherever we are listening – whenever we open our hearts to the care and love waiting – just outside our minds.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirational Clothing, Daily Inspiration Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

Daily Inspirations and Prayer -- Speaking In Presence

Liz died of colon cancer January 28, 2005.

For many years I searched for God's language. How does He and She communicate and interact? What words and thoughts reach their hearts and connects mine to theirs? I wanted to speak to my higher Presence -- God.

I read books, studied theology, and the Bible, listened to teachers and ministers. And I was no better off -- even more hopelessly alone -- without contact and conversation.

One day -- I don't remember the exact day -- I was so desperate and lost, and I began to write to God -- my thoughts, words, feelings -- then I breathed deeply and consciously -- and I listened -- for some sound of someone there, with me, listening and caring about me.

As I listened -- a still small voice -- without mental words -- someone there -- with me in my darkness -- and I felt a calming, loving Presence -- deep down where I had never been -- and I knew -- I experienced -- I am not alone -- even in death -- I will not be alone.

I am learning each day to speak -- and listen -- in Presence

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirational Clothing, Daily Inspiration Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Experience Life's Precious Moments
Precious MomentsPrecious Moments
> Precious Moments

Daily Inspirations -- They May Not Need Me

They may not need me,
But they might.
I’ll let my head be just in sight.
A smile as small as mine may be
Precisely their necessity.
Emily Dickinson

The world can be a lonely, forgotten place. The pace and volume of modern living does not respond to human needs. Loud voices crash our concentrations with irrelevant – but supposedly crucial – details and facts. Time is of the essence – not people. Success determines human value on the world’s slave market – not compassion or caring. Words are texted not spoken. Attention is outcome seeking, not love seeking. The world is a place where robots live alone in vacant stares, and lifeless gestures.

What is important? Who cares? Can mankind survive its own death of caring and loving and being with others.

We are faced with a worse problem than “greenhouse”. We are becoming more and more alone -- abandoned and forgotten. The refuse of a world high on outcomes, driven by distractions, and on a collision course with massive indifference – loveless lifelessness.

Emily Dickinson’s poem is an invitation – a small suggestion – to change the small spaces of our world that we can reach -- to give the acknowledgement of a simple smile to those who might wake up long enough to be touched, and warmed, and warned of the impending doom – lost selves, lifeless zombies, reaching for nothing that matters or cares.

Let’s smile at someone – every chance we can get. Maybe – just maybe -- someone will remember.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirational Clothing, Daily Inspiration Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass

Spiritual Awakening -- Listening to Daily Inspirations within Inspirational Life Quotes

God is presence, warm, all-enfolding, touching
The drab world into brilliance, lifting
The sad heart into song, indescribable, beyond
Understanding.

Yet by a bird’s note, a chord of music,
A light at sunset, a sudden movement of rapt insight,
A touch of love, making the whole universe
A safe home for the soul.
Anonymous (1st Century AD)

Let’s take some deep breaths and listen gently to the words of this inspirational life quote.

What do we hear? What appears on the conscious screens of our minds? What do we experience on the edges of our consciousness? When thought ends for a moment, where do we find ourselves? And where do we find ourselves when thought reemerges. Listen gently……………..

Stopping to listen. A sound ripples across my brain. A warm, somehow all encompassing energy – personal and unconditional – gently flows into my conscious feeling thoughts. A livingness emerges on the edges of what was and is – touchings of someone beyond me – comforting spiritual Presence.

My challenge -- my brain’s perceptions and reactions. I cannot see except what I am – and without Presence, all seems very drab and lifeless – bleak and desolate.

Silence. A sadness – many sadnesses – merging softly -- as warming Presence flows in growing brilliance – changing the beats of my heart into streams of lifting loving connecting experiences. Light and sound, breathing, beating heart, flowing Presence, wisps and mists of growing closeness – beyond my brain’s programming to understand, predict, or know.

Small sensory events – sounds, changes in motion and light, glances and brushes of affection and truth – emerging awareness of a place, within my heart, a home, a loved place, where higher Presence gives safety from the world’s dreaded and anticpated separation. Flowing energies of affections – coming into conscious view -- touch – Presence. What comes, what goes, what becomes – we can be -- in intimate Presence.

God is Presence.

Daily Inspirations Jewelry and Gifts .
Daily Inspirations Readings
Daily Inspirational Clothing, Daily Inspiration Music

Photography/graphics by W. Wass