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SWING LIFE OUT
Are you giving of yourself this year?
Are you giving from your heart and not your pocket?
Are you allowing yourself to be free from the issues that were controlling you
or making your life unhappy?
It is time to "Swing life out"
In Buddhism one of the main rules is to give
without the expectation of receiving. To learn to give of your heart, mind and spirit whenever it is needed with out greed.
What does this really mean?
Do we give all that we have and never receive?
NO.
We need to give in order to create balance and in return the universal powers will provide for you. The gifts can be abundant.
I met a young man in El Salvador in November, He was such a refreshing change of pace in today’s greedy society. He had these words tattooed on his chest, “Swing Life Out”. I asked him, what this meant.
This is his story. I cried that day, joyful tears.
He told me that when he was little boy his parents had a very tough time, an in turn he had a tough time dealing with the family issues. He got lost in the fighting and stress and started to take drugs at a very young age. He was lost to the streets, with an angry heart and no parents to guide or protect him. He was near death when his brother told him to Swing Life Out. Not knowing what he meant, he went on to be very ill and abusively addicted to drugs. He did things he now is very shameful of and has had to learn to forgive himself for. His need for drugs made him a thief, a liar and an abuser.
He was not Swinging Life Out, he was swinging in.
He was not able to see that what he was doing was destroying himself and everyone around him. He was not able to care, or even feel with his heart or mind. He was lost in a life that was sad and broken. His young body weakened and tormented. His brother wanted to save him, and in the words Swing Life Out, he was telling him to let go of the pain of the past and open the door to freedom, to God, and to love. He was telling him to forgive himself, his parents and the cruelty of the drugs and the life he was living. His brother wanted him to swing past it all and allow himself to live on the other side of the door. Swing life outwards that is negative and inwards that would be positive, new and free. These words would lead him to freedom. He is now 21 and on a mission team that helps impoverished countries world wide. His words to others are to “Swing Life Out”
Live now for today and create better for tomorrow. His name is Austin, and out of respect to him I will not publish his last name. I found him to be one of the bravest and most empowering people I have met in a very long time. I wish for all of us to give of ourselves in some small way that helps make life better for someone around you. Christmas is coming and there are many people that need your help, what can you do this year to serve in the spirit of Christmas. No money needed to give your heart, mind and spirit.
On this trip I met many other people who were there helping build houses, bringing clothing, medical supplies, food and education to the locals. This country is a beautiful place with very little money. We are all so rich in many ways. What can you give that you have plenty of. Mine is to give of my thoughts, my hard work, and my caring. I plan on going back there and helping to build the houses for the Habitat for Humanity. My vacation of love and experience. We are all so blessed here in Canada, and we are preparing for Christmas. Who this year needs from you, whatever it is you can give, what if it is just a call, a thought, a card, even a small gift. What if you could help someone who does not even know you, would that not bring you the greatest gift of all. “Self gratification”. I love to give, and I give with knowing that I need not receive in return , only to know that I made the recipient content for a brief moment in perhaps a lifetime of not so many positive moments. While I was away I learned more about giving. I gave many things out of my suitcase and handbag to the local people there who definitely needed it more than I. I left there feeling that the trip was an education, one that I will hold dear to my heart forever. The Swing Life Out young man taught me to have faith when times are tough and to know that everything that may feel difficult is much less than what some one else is going through.
I am so grateful to have had the experiences I have and it is my pleasure to share with all of you what is happening around this most amazing world. I love that we are all free to go and help and share in the lives of many who need us.
I am truly blessed this Christmas, I already received my gifts. Happiness.
I hope for all of you who are looking for the perfect gift this year, that you take a moment and give something to someone who has nothing and receive the gift of giving.
I love Christmas, it is a time of family, laughter, love and sharing.
I want to share with you my favorite Christmas Song, and recipes.
This simple quick bread really reminds me of the holiday season. The color, of course, is beautiful, studded with bright red cranberries. And the taste and fragrance are rich and comforting. Yum.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
1 cup oatmeal
1-1/4 cups hot water
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1-1/4 cups brown sugar
2 Tbsp. grated orange peel
1 egg
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1-1/4 cups chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8x4" loaf pans and set aside.
In medium bowl, combine oats and hot water, stir, and let stand for 5 minutes. In large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add oat mixture, sour cream, orange peel, and egg and blend well. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon and mix gently. Fold in cranberries and walnuts.
Spoon batter into prepared pans and smooth to level. In small bowl combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle over batter.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 55 to 65 minutes until bread is golden brown and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Cool 5 minutes, then carefully run a knife around the edges of the breads and remove to wire rack to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap to store.
Moms famous coconut frogs.
Ingredients
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup margarine
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup coconut
3 cups quick oats
Directions
1.
Mix, milk, margarine, sugar& cocoa in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
2.
Add vanilla, coconut, & oats, mix thoroughly and drop from tablespoon onto wax paper or cookie sheets.
3.
Chill until set approximately 30 minutes & enjoy!
My mom made these often, and this was the first recipe I made as a child.
My Favorite Christmas Songs.
Oh Holy Night sung by Nat King Cole, and so many other wonderful artists. I this is a song that raises my spirit and puts me closer to the true meaning of Christmas.
Here is the link on you tube. (copy and paste into your browser)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4uP32mnAjY
Oh, Holy Night
The stars
Are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear
Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin
And error pining
'Til He appeared
And the soul felt
It's worth a thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new
And glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh night
Oh, Holy night
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
When Christ was born
Oh, night divine
Oh, night
Oh, Holy night
A new Favorite
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA5N2sr8bW4
“Going home for Christmas”.
I love this one because it reminds me of my mom, and how much I miss her.
Her house was where the family gathered every Christmas eve;
A feast was set on the table and gifts were placed beneath the tree.
Everything was picture perfect, Grandpa would laugh and say,
That woman spends the whole year getting ready for this day.
One year the leaves began to fall and her health began to fade;
We moved her to a place where they could watch her night and day.
But she kept making plans for Christmas from her little room;
She told everyone, I’ll miss you but I’ll be leaving soon.
I’m going home for Christmas and I’m going home to stay;
I’m going home for Christmas and nothing’s gonna keep me away.
I’ll be with the ones I love to celebrate the Savior’s birth;
This gift will be worth more to me than anything on earth.
I’m going home, home for Christmas.
All the leaves outside have fallen to be covered by the snow;
The family comes with food and gifts and Grandpa comes alone.
There’s a sadness in our silence as the Christmas story’s read,
And with tears, Grandpa reminds us of the words that Grandma said.
I’m going home for Christmas and I’m going home to stay;
I’m going home for Christmas and nothing’s gonna keep me away.
She’ll be face to face with Jesus as we celebrate His birth,
And this gift will be worth more to her than anything on earth,
‘Cause she’ll be home.
And as we sing ‘Joy to the World’ I can’t help thinking
Of the joy that’s shining in her eyes right now.
And though our hearts still ache, we know that as we celebrate,
She’s singing with the herald angels and heaven’s glowing on her face.
And now she’s home for Christmas and now she’s home to stay;
She’s home for Christmas, and nothin’ could’ve kept her away.
She’ll be face to face with Jesus, as we celebrate His birth,
And this gift will be worth more to her than anything on earth.
She’s home, she’s home for Christmas.
She is home, she’s home for Christmas.
May your lives be blessed with all that you need this holiday season , and may the spirit of Christmas bring you gratification. My wish for all is to experience the gift of giving.
Merry Christmas to all of you from my home to yours.