Chapter 14

You are wondering what a spiritual and personal transformation is. Then you may ask, "does this apply to me?" No matter what our ages are, we all face crossroads while traveling on our runways of our lives. Webster’s New World Dictionary (1991) clearly defines spiritual as: of the spirit or soul; of consisting of spirit; refined in thought and feeling. (p.454)

In the same book: personal means private; individual; of the body or physical appearance; having to do with character. (p.352). Now we will explore the word transform: to change the form or appearance; to change the condition, character, or function of. (p.500) It is my deepest hope that you have a clearer understanding of what is meant by spiritual and personal transformation.

Often when we become of a certain age we look around and say, "Am I missing something?" and/or "Where am I going?" Some experts would like to call this a "midlife" or "identity crisis." We then assess where we have been, where we are going, and what the next steps are to continue on our journey. Maybe we have been stay-at-home parents for eighteen years, a professional teacher, pastor, or are seasoned in another profession, and know our passions and desires are to paint our dreams on canvas. Or could it be your twenty-five year marriage ended in divorce or a death. Nonetheless, it is time to understand where you are going next.

This world’s economy (recession), that we are so-called facing has taught many "life lessons" for those who are seeking to turn yet another page in their life. For me, I have learned to look inward for strength to create and manifest the desires that I long to create in my life, world, and affairs. A considerable amount of folks who have been tied down to a 9-5 or 12-hour job are not unleashing their inner creativity, learning to take a risk, or to try something different. There are a few folk that are still spinning their wheels to figure out who they are and where they are going in this life. Most people are looking for changes no matter what their ages are. They are searching for answers to "what’s next and how do I get there?" The answers are different for each one of us. They ask should they learn how to fly an airplane at sixty? A grandfather asks can I find my true love-mate again after twenty years of being alone? Spiritual and personal transformation is about going within your soul to find out what truly defines "who you are." Do you really understand "who you are" and "what defines your soul?"

What are the needs of your soul? When you were working those long hours for another person, you were that corporation. When your parents were alive, you were someone’s child. Once you got married, you were someone’s spouse. Let’s take a moment to reflect: remember when you were at home raising your children, your children’s needs came first - "you gave to them first" - or when you were in college when your passions were so fresh that you could taste them, and your zealousness pushed you into action and you would not settle for less than your heart’s desire. Spiritual and personal transformation will allow you to feel this way again, and have no doubts about your future success! You will gain a new-found freedom that your soul has longed for for many years. Because once you understand who you are in the image and likeness of God the Father, you will have freedom inside your soul.

Changes occur constantly: hourly, daily, monthly, and yearly. We can enter in a posture of grace or resistance - you have to choose. As we create a "spiritual practice" and enter a sacred place for refuge, your challenges can be met in grace; resistance will prolong your transformation. I talk and write about a "spiritual practice" often, however, it consists of:

· Daily communion with your Higher Power

· Journaling your thoughts (fears, doubts, happiness and successes)

· Meditation along with contemplation: being still in silence

· Eating wholesome foods

· Exercising your body and receiving bodywork such as massage, facial, or reflexology

· Attending a Center for spiritual worship or connecting with your Higher Power

· Reading edifying books and enjoying edifying conversation

· Listening to uplifting music and watching positive TV shows or movies

· Adding anything that’s positive in your life

This action will help unblock, deny, and hinder all emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical patterns that may obstruct your path to your destinies. Then you can put the pieces back together like a puzzle. Next, create your masterpiece called "My Life!"

Right here, stop and write the masterpiece of what you desire in your life:

In the Bible in the book of Galatians 6:9 (AEM), it states: "Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

How many of you have been weary in your life, world, and affairs? Do you feel like fainting? You feel like "what’s the use?" Your inner self-talk is "I try and I am getting nowhere on my journey. Why is this happening to me? Life is useless." How many of you have even noticed your inner self-talk? As many of you may know, I wanted to model for magazines when I was twelve years old. I also had the ambition to write and be creative in the visual arts. At fourteen, I started on that path of my destination without any parental support. I entered a contest for a National Model Search and was a finalist! Once I was eighteen, I went to Fashion school, which was my inner true passion. While I was young I wasn’t a "good student" academically - my learning style wasn’t present. But in Fashion school I made As and Bs. I come from a family background of educators. But that route was never for me - my path was so different. I walked to the beat of my own heart even at a young age! Many of my relatives thought I was rebellious. I laugh now; I just knew what I wanted even at an early childhood age! My inner soul wanted to create art, model, and to write books!

Oh well, after many bumps and mishaps on the road of life, finally, I am intentionally focused on my inner dreams. Life to me is not about the destination of a dream, it’s all about the "life lessons learned" on the way. You know that many masters have said that "Life is not about the destination, but the journey." After ending my marriage of twenty-one years and raising six children, I finally stepped into my dreams. Thirty years later I remembered, and woke up to recapture my childhood dreams, which were to model, write, and use my artistic abilities. But you know I had to remake myself over and heal and change my inner self-talk. My children are all grown, I am free of a life-partner and have done my "inner work to let go of my past" to create my future.

Forgiveness was a big part of my inner healing; it works when you apply the principle. Most people are afraid to apply that posture to "practice the gift of forgiveness." They don’t want to "let go" because the pain and the past feels comfortable. You must learn to "move on." I live completely in the now, not in the past and not too far into the future! The things of my past help shape my experiences and future.

Is there anyone you need to forgive? You cannot live one foot in the past with your body heading into the future - it just won’t work. This was the start of my spiritual and personal transformation for me. You can do this too, it is for you! With faith, trusting in a Higher Power, changing your mindset, setting realistic goals, and stopping focusing on limiting beliefs, you too can reach your ultimate goals in your life.

Start by asking yourself:

· What are your desires of your heart and dreams? Just what is cooking in your soul? Is it fear or faith? Is fear or faith boiling within your soul?

· What were your childhood dreams that you sat and daydreamed of day after day?

· How many fears are holding you back from you stepping into your destiny?

· Are you ready to move forward or are you stuck in the past? Maybe you are too far into the future. Can you live in the Now of today this moment?

Churches and Centers have sung about "letting go," "releasing," and "letting God" for decades. Twelve-Step groups and self-help programs have talked about letting go and trusting in a Higher Power and they give positive affirmations for us to use. We have also created our own positive affirmations to help change our consciousness to start us believing our own thoughts. After a few days, however, we are back where we started in doubts, fears, and worries. Why? Stop here and ponder what happens in the patterns of your life that you return to this place of nothing gets done. Be honest with yourself - go within your soul’s stirrings to see why you fall back on what you have always relied on.

I would like to challenge you, my dear, to start to figure out what is cooking in your soul? Are there many stories yet untold? Can you begin to step one foot in front of another to create the desires of your heart? What is cooking in your soul? Now’s the time to step out and dream. Once you make that first step, you will only see and find that your Higher Power has already gone before you and opened your path. Your job is to say "Yes" and move into a position of active faith along with confidence and assurance! You can really let go and let God show you the way.

May I advise that you be "poised for the runway of your life!" So be it!

As I place my feet on the ground I know that it is Holy Ground. I close my eyes and go to the center core of my being. I take deep cleansing breaths there into my abdominals, up and out through my lungs and throat and out from my mouth. I am relaxed and poised.

I see my God-given destiny and it’s calling my soul. Every day I hear it clearer and see it clearer. There are footprints in front of my foot which have gone before me. They are big and deep into the earth. I calmly follow the footprints of the Spirit. I say, "YES!"

The way becomes clearer each step I take in faith, trust, confidence, and assurance. I am not alone. Spirit guides me and I follow. I say thank you God the father and mother. Amen.

1 handful of raw sugar

Water to fill a 2-qt saucepan

4 lemons, squeezed with peels grated

1 dash of lemon flavoring

2 mashed or blended mango mixed with lemon balm and mint leaves

Mix raw sugar into the pan of water; bring to a boil over high heat uncovered. Stir often. Take off the stove, stir in the rest of the mixture. Put the ingredients into ice trays or a pan or bowl and cover. Place in freezer freeze for at least 1 hour.

I serve this in a bowl or I put it into a glass if I use ice trays and pour other drinks on top of it. Serve with a fresh mint or lemon balm. Enjoy!