Month: February 2025

Remember Oneness!

Lightwork by Autumn Skye Morrison

I have traveled far in this lifetime and know it cannot measure to the journey of eternity I – we are all upon. Soul evolving is the purpose behind all, and creation is ongoing.

We are in a period of chaotic identity shifts that are a part of humanity’s evolving to the opportunity of seeing things in new light and awareness that requires our coming together – or not.

Quotes I recently shared on Facebook from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. –

“We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.”

 “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.”

Throughout history, mystics from various faiths have experienced profound insight and heightened awareness. Their insight reflects the same message from Desmond Tutu:  

“The God who existed before any religion counts on you to make the oneness of the human family known and celebrated.”

… And Albert Einstein:

“A person experiences life as something separated from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. Our task must be to free ourselves from this self-imposed prison, and through compassion, to find the reality of Oneness.

… And Meister Eckhart:

“The Ground of God and the Ground of the Soul are one and the same.” 

In the recent sharing of Sarah Alling on our MYOB Zoom nights – see You Tube Recording on our website of February 20th – she stated – “We are to awaken that it is no longer about nations in the plural – it’s the Human Nation we must evolve together.”

This hour is different. We are in a world we cannot escape we are all connected. My life does have impact upon others – and more deeply than I knew. I have a tapestry in my abode with a quote from Mother Teresa:

“We can do no great things, only small things with great love,” emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant acts can have a significant impact when done with genuine love and compassion. 

In these times – be aware of those small deeds in your daily life and that the more of us that remember our words, deeds and actions do matter so that future generations can awaken to one Human Nation where all lives matter and Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity is celebrated and a way of life for all. 

Mother Nature reflects it – so can we!

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

The Great Potato Fall!

Potatoes Image

Yes – that’s the title of this Blog and it contains a great lesson of “Slow down, look where you’re going – and some things don’t have the importance you think they should.”  

Back in January of 2004, my eldest niece, Sherrie, was working and living with me for a time in West Hollywood. I adore all my four nieces, and it was beautiful to have that time with her. I wanted to prepare her a special dinner that night of this “fall” and had everything planned perfectly – except at the last minute and I realized I wanted baked potatoes – OMG – no potatoes and I wanted her to walk in the apartment with the heavenly smells of dinner and those baked potatoes.

I got into my car and headed immediately to the market – time was so crucial! I quickly got out of my car and rushed across the parking lot to get the potatoes in the oven. However, I tripped on a curb guard and went down with a grand splat! I thought I heard a bone crack but thought I’ll just have a bad bruise. Getting up was another stark reality – the pain was suddenly excruciating, and I was not able to pull myself up. People began to gather, and a packing boy came out to me. The first thing I tried to do was reach into my wallet to give him cash to go in and get the potatoes for me. He said in a very compassionate way – “I don’t think you’re going anywhere, an ambulance is on its way.” From that moment on – the sacred vision of my niece walking into the beautiful aromas of that dinner faded and to the hospital I went.

I was able to call my niece and let her know – hey – I took a fall – I am not at home!

The surgeon indicated that I had a broken femur, and my hip might need replacement. Fortunately, they did not need to replace the hip, but the recovery process was substantial. I required the use of a catheter temporarily until I could resume normal activities. It took over two months before I was able to return home and navigate the stairs to my apartment.

I stayed with my Beloved friend Dr. Elizabeth Marshall in Simi Valley. There were sacred moments in that healing time – the tender care from Dr. Elizabeth, prayers and love from my congregation, friends, and peers. My niece was fully supportive through this healing journey – as well as my other niece, Terrie and my great niece and nephews.

Elizabeth had a mixed breed white dog named Roscoe. Every night, Roscoe would wait by my bedroom door and accompany me to the bathroom whenever I needed to go. What pure love that was to feel and experience.

The most beautiful event was a visit from my friend Joe LaSalle, a physical trainer and amputee. He visited my church one morning in his wheelchair and offered to assist with my full recovery. My insurance would not cover ongoing therapy – Joe was my miracle worker to see me fully healed. He gave me the exercises to practice daily, and I healed fully. At 83 I still jump up and down with JOY whenever I feel that energy to express.

This “potato fall splat” highlighted health and life transitions for all splats. Slow down – look at what really matters – walking for that potato would have been such a kinder experience for my niece to come home to and step back from the sense of urgency whenever possible!

There are urgent moments – catastrophic disasters – urgent care, however, in the daily journey of life we create urgencies that do not exist. Breathe – place your hand on your heart – step back – and allow yourself to lift that stress and reclaim your inner power and strength,   

Our deeper soul work doesn’t have to take place out of splats – but from ongoing daily tender care and mindfulness. I seek to live from that Truth – and see the miracles that carried me through that great potato fall!

Image by Alexei from Pixabay

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

AWARENESS – Update on a Scam

Awareness

Top scams that will be targeting you in 2025…

With our theme for February being – “What’s Going On?” I realized I am coming up to the 2-year mark of a scam I fell prey to in 2023.

It was emotionally devastating and a loss of funds. I have chosen to carry a story of empowerment from it and free the intensity of the overwhelming judgment and condemnation upon myself that occurred and I carried for months.

Here is the post I shared 2 years ago on Facebook with updates to now:

Dear Facebook Friends

A significant amount of my bank funds was lost due to a scam.

I acted out of fear, believing I had caused Amazon to lose money owed to them. I thought I was dealing with a real Amazon representative, but I wasn’t.

I did what they requested of me and when I asked questions, they gave me answers I believed were true. The one individual I dealt with was courteous and won my trust completely. He even said what a beautiful man I was to be dealing with this so respectfully and with integrity. Because I had quantum trust, I refused to see all the red flags.

Although I reported the fraud to my bank too late to recover the lost funds, I managed to get through that month with the help of two cherished friends I’ve known for 30 years. Grace saw me through as it always has.

I felt stupid, naïve, humiliated, violated, and ashamed. I had to let myself feel those emotions. I can now look back with compassion and forgiveness.

I also sent prayers to all those working without conscience and taking such advantage of others that they would find their way to higher ground and love in their lives.

Last year, I underwent deeper personal therapy using the EMDR modality. I didn’t realize how much pain and guilt I still carried. I came to understand more of how I fell into the emotional quicksand of that scam. I observed the extensive scope of the fraud industry and noted that it affects people of all ages.

I continue to work on the full observance, not judgment, of my life and give myself credit for personal growth and insight.

Mind Your Own Becoming is about transforming our experiences into personal growth, emerging as a victor where we gain new insights and self-worth.

Had I stepped back two years ago – allowed the process of keen observance not reaction out of fear, I would have had a different outcome. Had I consulted two or three of my close friends, they would have immediately advised me to stop and report it as a scam. Shame and guilt took over and I can own that now and have worked on the deeper soul work of forgiveness.

Our times require us to step back and observe not out of reaction and divisiveness but observance and inquiry – “What can I bring that contributes compassion and awareness?”  We are in a time that we must inquire “What’s Going On?” and do what we can to build bridges together of honest and open communication that can lead to new understanding and healing. I do believe in my heart that our views are not as opposite as they seem.

Respect, value, and care for all individuals are essential humanitarian goals. We have a chance for true enlightenment if we focus on building bridges, not walls.

With Love, Charles

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Touchstones of Transcendental Love

touchstone

I wrote a piece on “Moments” as a blog – please review it here. I decided to do a new piece, and I am calling it – “Touchstones” – with looking at the following definition:

A touchstone can be any object that represents a special person or significant memory to us.

As a metaphor, a touchstone is any physical or intellectual measure by which the validity or merit of a concept can be tested.

The term ‘touchstone’ is used for any past knowledge or experience that has a strong influence on a person.

Touchstone memories. These are past examples of our resilience during an unexpected event. We can look back on them as evidence of our capability to face new challenges and move through them.

Taking those definitions – I am looking at Touchstones as:

Nature walks – where I have experienced a sense of completeness, motivation, and determination to move on.

Every day now in the mountains I am in nature and seasons. I realize cold seasons are not for everyone, but winter requires my reflection and resilience. I have been in magnificent settings throughout my life, from oceans, to deserts, to tropical and mountain tops.

They all have soul messages if we tap in to listen. Walks by the sea, going out at midnight in the desert and gently hugging sahuaros, hearing the sea within them. Sahuaros store water for the hot desert summers. Breathtaking sunrises upon the beaches and mountain sunrises and sunsets. 360 degrees view on mountain tops, and hugging mountain trees – feeling their endurance and strength. Touchstones.

Events

My ordination, and my first Big Sky Retreat 1976 in the Grand Tetons. A sacred soul moment by a waterfall on an island on Jackson Lake with my HIV Group – Together to Grow – that made it to the then Grand Teton Retreat and a journey through Yellowstone together. My Doctorate Ceremony and my 80th birthday receiving notes of how I had touched people’s lives through my time with the Big Sky Retreat. The last Big Sky Retreat – 2024, overwhelming sadness in letting go and profound JOY in 48 years of service and LOVE.

Places that signify my soul’s journey.

Mountains, oceans, deserts and where I will have my ashes scattered – at Ousel Falls around Big Sky, MT – treasured memories of magnificent friends and peers shared there. Touchstones

Family, peers, friends, and pets that left indelible heart-prints of LOVE.

Precious moments in helping to raise my four nieces with my mom and sister in my 20’s and their families throughout my life. My work with HIV/AIDS in the 80’s and 90’s transformed how I saw myself and life. Having a precious dog – Gus – that  I have joint custody of , a horse, Winnie, I help take care of and realizing how all my pets were messengers of unconditional love and forgiveness.

Honoring my life and that through all the Touchstones reflected above, I have risen to be the soul I am in this hour. I value those memories and that I have deeper forgiveness for myself for the judgments I have made against myself and greater love for all in my life – without exception!

Take time to consider your “Touchstones.”

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.