The Congregation of The 5K

You can say this past Sunday I went to church with over 5000 people! It wasn’t your typical church in fact there wasn’t even a building – We did have a Friar who lead us in prayer before the “mass” took off. This congregation met on the streets of Providence RI for the CVS 5K; an event which has turned into a pilgrimage for me and for many others.

The similarities of church and running a race may not be evident for people who don’t run: Yet for those of us who do it is one of the most uplifting services we attend. As runners/walkers we are sharing our faith in putting one foot in front of the other knowing at the end there will be a finish line where we will reunite with one another to share in the glory of our struggle – Sound a little like heaven?

The race as a metaphor for our lives on earth isn’t the only common thread. There is the sense of communion, it might be pizza and water instead of bread and wine, but the feeling of gratitude and being blessed is the same at least for me. Good Samaritans abound; volunteers, and fellow runners looking after one another; all of this taking place while the rain ends,clouds part and the sun shines! If that isn’t “Divine Intervention” I don’t know what is?

The runners/walkers weren’t the only ones who were blessed by the day anyone who witnessed and shared in the glory were inspired by faith, hope and love!

Amen,

Ginnie

Spring Cleaning…

As I’ve stated in earlier posts spring is the beginning for me… The world is welcoming new life in all its forms. The air is cleaner, the rain even smells fresh! Birds are building nests and we’re cleaning out the residue of winter.

Then why not a Spring Cleaning for the spirit or the soul? Christians celebrate Easter. Jews are celebrating passover. We need to put into practice some of the introspection from winter. How are we going to be better at who we are? What do we have to offer the world? What are we willing to do to be God Realized spirits? It’s more than claiming to belong to a faith; how do you practice your faith? All the great religious philosophies preach love, selflessness and forgiveness… Is it time to rid yourself of hate,selfishness and resentment? A Spring Cleaning…

No one is perfect we’re all here to learn about our selves and our place in the world. Spring is a good time to start – Nature is renewing her commitment, why not us?

Namaste,

Ginnie

Start With Spring…

Please note my Northeastern perspective on this thought, those of you living in a temperate climate may not or cannot share this view…

Driving in the most glorious of weather, it came to mind how much I love and look forward to spring. Which got me to thinking why don’t we start the actual calendar year with spring? It represents renewal and rebirth, there is more light and a “lightness” of spirit. The season represents hope, life and faith… Many faiths begin their calendars in spring. The zodiac starts with Aries (March-April). Chinese medicine’s first meridians are wood (spring).

I wonder if our “New Year” resolutions would be followed through more often if we began the year with spring, instead of the dregs of January? We’d have more energy to carry out those resolutions, instead of just hibernating…

As for me I’m going for a walk, to breathe and take in all the promise of this season and the universe has to offer! I will guarantee there will be a SPING in my step!

Blessings,

Ginnie

Two Breaths…

Two breaths one to begin life and one to end life. Each of these breaths are like a parentheses surrounding life…

I’ve witnessed each of these breaths as a student nurse, a nurse and a daughter and it never ceases to amaze me how fragile life is. Imagine we come to life with a breath! A baby only moments before was a fetus in its mother womb. Now appears with a crying breath and a life has begun!

The final breaths, I witnessed as a nurse were far less heralded but just as miraculous… One minute a being with a life lived – No matter how long, is with us. Then there is a breath no longer followed by another and he is no longer among us…

I still have difficulty grasping the last breath. Maybe its because with the first breath we have experiences of what we hope the future will hold for a new life. All we have for the final breath are questions…

Most of us believe in a better place and that the soul or life force that left the body is still among us. That belief comforts us. There will always be questions, but without questions how do we practice faith?

Breathe deeply friends, for the air is sweet and so is life…

Ginnie

In Stride…

I’ve been thinking about how I’m reacting to the challenges life has thrown in my path the past year. How in the beginning I was resisting and trying to will my way through the obstacles; like banging my head against the wall. I believe I actually did that a couple of times, which may account for the migraines. Seriously somewhere in the midst of struggle and pain I came to a realization to deal with what I had direct control over and turn the rest over to my Higher Power. I decided to take things IN STRIDE.

I believe part of the human experience is to learn what we actually have control over and what we have to turn over to faith. This isn’t to say that I’m not trying to promote my business or looking for ways to turn around different challenges. What I’m trying to say is I’m working on me from the inside out; getting healthier, fitter, and grounded – The things I have control over. The kind of faith I’m referring to is the faith between me and God; not believing in God, but Believing With God! All things are possible if we allow it…

It’s a Vanilla Cream DoNut Kinda Day!

Ginnie