Coincidence? Or Guardian Angel?

 

Do you believe you have a spiritual entity watching over you? I sure do. I have had endless manifestations of what some people might call “coincidences” but I know it’s my angels. Following is one small example.

I celebrated my birthday not too long ago and this caused me to reflect on past birthdays when I didn’t tell anyone that it was my special day, but someone wound up celebrating it anyway. Coincidence? Read on and draw your own conclusions.

I was single, living far from home in the days before email or iPhones. Contact with my family was limited to occasional snail mail. I didn’t mind. That was my life  and I was happy.

When my birthday rolled around I didn’t feel like telling those around me that it was my birthday. I didn’t mind if they knew, but just didn’t want to be the one telling them myself. But it was a bit lonely when no one knew and therefore my birthday wasn’t celebrated in any way.

I suppose it might help if I explain that I traveled a lot and therefore those around me were not always very acquainted with some details of my life such as when I was born. Birthdays had never been  really a big deal for me so I didn’t announce it to my friends. But if the day went by with not one person at least wishing me a happy birthday, it made me feel very lonely indeed.

So the following true stories really made me happy and loved:

One year I received a long distance phone call from a business associate. She called to discuss business but during the conversation asked:
“Aren’t you a Leo like me?”
“Yes”, I replied, pleased that she remembered.
“When is your birthday?–It must be soon.” She asked next.
“Today!” I told her.
“Wow! Happy Birthday!” she exclaimed.
My day was complete. Someone wished me a happy birthday!

Another year my boyfriend (not knowing it was my birthday) surprised me when he came to pick me up by bringing me a large bouquet (for the first time). I then told him it was my birthday and we had a nice evening celebrating.

Yet another year my flat mate’s mom paid us a surprise visit. I opened the door to her and she was holding a cake that she had made for us. I then told her it was my birthday! My flat mates found some birthday candles and we had a nice celebration–cake and all!

Three different years, three different true events when my birthday was celebrated in some way on the day, without those around me knowing at first it was my special day. The result was extreme happiness on my part. I was able to celebrate after all, without feeling that I was hinting for recognition!

Say its coincidence if you must, I know I have Guardian Angels watching over me who not only help keep me safe, but help keep me happy!
Do you have a similar story?

Making a Difference During London 2012

London is ELECTRIC with Olympic activity. The mood is optimistic & supportive. The worries that we heard before the Opening Ceremony such as transportation chaos, bad weather and even terrorist attacks is all fading into the background as Team GB breaks records and glories in it's accomplishments.

Along with some friends, I wanted to use this time to try to "Make a Difference" in people's lives. We decided to get special T-shirts printed with the cover illustration of an inspirational poster. The picture shows a large heart with a globe in the middle and people from all countries holding hands around it. On the back we had printed the title: "What Everybody Needs is Love". You can download this inspiring illustration here. And an inspirational message to go with it here.

We also had short inspirational leaflets printed entitled: Play to Win. (download here).

We then ventured out to places in London with a large population of sports fans engaging with the visitors and passing out the leaflets.

So far it has been great fun and we have gotten a good reception. Often people would come up to us, requesting a leaflet.

I happened to meet  former Harlem Globetrotter Andre Bryant, who said he loved my T-shirt and wanted one like it! He took a leaflet and a few more for his friends.

We have our contact information on the leaflets so if anyone wants to find out more and get back in touch with us they can.

We are not done yet, so if you are out in London during the Olympics, maybe you will see us!

Here I am with former Globetrotter Andre Bryant.

Points to Ponder

True Values

Nothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty; it stems rather from love and devotion towards men.

        -Albert Einstein

Mahatma Gandhi identified the seven sins in the world as wealth without work, pleasure before conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, and politics without principle.

We must understand spiritual truths and apply them to our modern life. We must draw strength from the
almost forgotten virtues of simplicity, humility, contemplation, and prayer. It requires a dedication beyond science, beyond self, but the rewards are great and it is our only hope.
                                                           -Charles Lindbergh

The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration.

                      -Pearl S. Buck

Measure wealth not by the things you have, but by the things you have that you wouldn’t sell for money.
         -Author unknown

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
                  -Martin Luther King Jr.

Life in time remains without meaning if it does not find its meaning in eternity.
     -Nicolas Berdyaew


The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.
                                                                              -William James

Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what
we give.
             -Norman MacEwan


If life be short, then moderate your worldly cares and projects; do not cumber yourselves with too much
provision for a short voyage.
                                                         -Author unknown

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within
the heart.
                   -Helen Keller

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.
                                                                         -Albert Schweitzer

March News from Ecuador

Excerpts of End of March 2012 News from Gonzalo and Jenny in Ecuador:

Old Part of the City of Cuenca

We were able to go on two trips to two cities. Cuenca is the 3rd largest city and a 10 to 11 hour bus ride through the mountains is required to reach it.  Here we were able to do personal visitation to various families we have been visiting. We revisited a school who use our Christian educational materials and another school whose order of nuns have dedicated themselves to help educated children from marginised areas. They have asked us to consider helping to give various workshops to the parents about the parenting role later this year.

Inspirational Reading with Gonzalo

In Ibarra, a city nearer to Quito where we live, our Hotel hostess, has asked us to consider giving talks to a group of ladies.

In Quito I,Jenny gave a workshop called POSITIVE PROGRAMING. This was in an educational institution run by the government and the event was for a group of 16 daycare and preschool teachers, all women except for one.

We noticed that their faces were radiant and there was a new energy in the group as they departed. They had arrived rather restless being the last hour of their long working day and having just sat through a work meeting which ran overtime! They have asked for more talks!!
                      
Thanks to all who  contribute towards our support here. As well as some donations covering our part of our trips, at last, we are able to start on our household list of needs and begin by investing in a  second hand fridge and get foam  and material to make cushions for some chairs and sofa!!