FILL EVERY THOUGHT WITH...DETERMINATION,
                  every step with...COURAGE
                           every WORD with...LOVE !!!.

                         As YOU change...the WORLD changes!



Brahma Kumaris WORLD SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATION  www.bkcalgary.org
Programs 209-2988 (403)  calgary@ca.bkwsu.org

blwoodard@shaw.ca -- Share your story!

GRANDMOTHER WITHOUT BORDERS --
LI'L MISS RED MITTENS AND THE ICE CREAM GARDEN...memories from Sannia

"I believe I can relate to this book! I also love my grandmother (mum's mum) who passed away 12 years ago, but before leaving she gave me her spiritual bangle and it has been on me ever since :)  Even though I was only 6 years old when she passed away, I still believe I have a really deep connection with her!"  from Sannia


SANNIA, thank you very much for sharing precious memories of your Grandmother...our memories are just a loving-thought away!  What a blessing!!
Bonnie Woodard

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story!

"WHY FEEL GUILTY?
 LEARNING how to FORGIVE YOURSELF is a better use of your time." Brahma Kumaris

FORGIVING my SELF is a delightful new exercise for me.  I enjoy how I feel while practicing "forgiving" my SELF instead of my old journey, choosing to feel guilty!
Bonnie Woodard


Brahma Kumaris WORLD SPIRITUAL ORGANIZATION
Programs 209-2988 (403)  calgary@ca.bkwsu.org  www.bkwsu.org

blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

Blessings of Faith...strengthens me!

I BELIEVED I HAD OVERCOME letting my mind take me on a journey of negative-wasteful thoughts…the ones that go round-and-round, getting bigger and bigger, and causing your whole being to doubt itself. The last few days I witnessed my thoughts undoing lessons learned in recent "positive thinking and stress-free living" classes.  Old habits die hard. Transformation takes mind-work to get at the root of "why" past-life-defeating-habits are allowed to continue their destructive ways.

I've learned MY THOUGHTS are the cause of everything. I've learned I shouldn't presume to know what someone else's thoughts are, and you can't change them...you can only change your SELF. I went within my SELF to do the work of positive inner talk and listen for that still, small voice within me. I heard, “do not lean to your own understanding.” Over and over I heard this phrase, believed it, and was truly blessed. I felt PEACEFULNESS relax my mind, my body and my soul.

I'VE LEARNED, if you override the gift of intuition...the still, small voice within you, and allow yourself to keep taking back the doubt, the worry, the negativity...eventually you won’t hear God whispering, "I give you my peace, I leave you my peace."

WHEN I do the work of positive SELF talk, thoughts change.
WHEN I strengthen my mind, my thoughts, and how I see and experience...life CHANGES!

SURROUND yourself with good friends and FEED your mind with uplifting word and music!

Sincerely,
Bonnie Woodard

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization http://www.bkwsu.org/
calgary@ca.bkwsu.org  209-2988 (403)

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

CONTINUING WITH MEMORIES...after reading the Thanksgiving story, Nancy wrote: 

I love the mom’s good dishes story – reminds me of after my mother who passed away in 1974 and when my sisters and I were going over her belongings I wanted to have and wear a fine wool scarf that was my mom’s favourite scarf (she wore it often) that I had purchased for her on one of her birthdays. Every time I wore it, I could smell and feel my dear mother’s presence and felt closer to her especially the first year after she passed away – it comforted me when I needed it most.  (from Nancy, Timmins ON)

Memory is amazing...a fragrance, a song, a place...can transport our whole being back to the time when...!   Nancy, thank you for sharing this precious memory!



Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

THANKSGIVING and other holidays remembered because of Mom's good dishes...

My girlfriend sent an interesting email I'd like to share with you.  Her Mom passed away some time ago...that's why this is special.

Two brothers came to visit this Thanksgiving weekend...both from out of town.  She said the neatest thing was that Thanksgiving dinner was served on Mom's good dishes.

My girlfriend shared that the oldest brother had not seen these dishes since 1974 and the second oldest brother only saw Mom's good dishes every Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving.

Just imagine the wonderful memories because of Mom's good dishes!
Our hearts remember the simplest joys!


by Bonnie Woodard

It is with deep sadness in my heart...

Today I learned that a good friend of mine died a few days ago.  We met at the FCJ Centre in their T.E.A.M. Program, 2003.  Very quickly we became good friends! 

After the three year program ended, our visits became less and less as her life was pulled one way and mine another.  Her birthday was just a month ago and as I thought of her I was tempted to phone and wish, "Happy Birthday!" but I thought...oh, its been so long between phone calls, she has her family---I was embarrassed to phone.  My intuition nudged me to call her and my mind rationalized its way out of 'IT.'  So, you understand how I now feel--deep sadness that I didn't make the call...leave a message...

My friend Mary knows how I feel...she's been there too, thank God.  She eased my sorrow by saying, "Bon, when you were close friends, you were good friends--remember that!"  I will with all my heart.  This is another life-lesson: listen to that quiet voice within, it speaks the truth! 

Goodbye Francis, I love you.

Sincerely,
Bonnie Woodard

When we wake up in the morning
     and turn our soul toward You,
You are there first.


Soren Kierkegaard
(1813-1855) Danish Philosopher & Theologian

I just love this image of God. It delights my soul and makes me smile.
with love,
Bonnie Woodard

Meditative INNER talk, MIND-FULL-NESS:
 
This is my SELF-talk today. My SELF-talk will change each day as my INNER-strength TRANSFORMS ME. This POSITIVE SELF-talk is not static, it is evolving...a work-in-progress, just like YOU...just like ME!!  Try this every chance you get throughout your day...on the treadmill, on transit, in the shower...

POSITIVE SELF-talk transforms you into the person YOU are meant to BE!
POSITIVE SELF-talk is LISTENING TO GOD talk to YOU! 
POSITIVE SELF-talk is God telling YOU how wonder-FULL YOU are to HIM!

...start your own POSITIVE SELF-talk and be amazed!

God lives within me...
   God is my Soul
   God is Good-ness
   God is Love

When I am mind-full
   God fills my mind
   My thoughts are pure
   My thoughts are love-filled

God lives within me...
   God's home
   God's temple
   God's love for me is limitless

I share His Love with the world
   I am spirit
   I am loving
   I am beautiful

Because we are all One with God
   I am ALL of God's Good-ness
   I am a child of God
   I am powerful
   My thoughts are life-giving
   My thoughts are pure

I SEE with God's Vision
   I see value in everyone
   We are all One
   We are Love
   Good-ness
   Goddess
   I am free...  God lives within me!


by Bonnie Woodard (POSITIVE SELF-talk is LISTENING TO GOD talk to you!)

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization (AS YOU CHANGE, THE WORLD CHANGES)
Email: calgary@ca.bkwsu.org  P: 209-2988 (403)
http://www.bkwsu.org/


Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

Alice, my friend...

This evening's visit was both intimate and heart-warming! Intimate because Alice shared her fears and heart-warming because of her trust in our friendship.

I've been visiting Alice in the nursing home for approximately six months. Alice's life suddenly changed due to illness and was told she'd never be able to live on her own again.  This news shook her very soul.

Tonight Alice asked, "how long will I have to be here--it could be twenty years! how will I cope? why am I here?" 

Alice knows we don't have answers. But she talks and I listen... and will continue to listen over and over for as long as she needs to voice her thoughts...this is the joy of our friendship and the essence of a pastoral visit!

by Bonnie Woodard

Diocesan Pastoral Care Course
Information 218-5501 (403) Calgary AB

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

What would my life look like ...

If I truly lived it...
If I loved with abandon...
If I loved myself...
If I valued myself...
If I forgave myself...
If I let go of controlling...
If I always did my absolute best--with no regrets...
If I took out all the stops and became the person that is me!

• How would I feel? 
• What would it look like?
• Will I try?

Your new beginning is just a thought away!!


by Bonnie Woodard (from a conversation with a fabulous girlfriend)

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

The Golden Rule is the most universal guide human beings have for their ethical journey; it is found in one form or another in all the major cultures and religions. Here is a sampling...

Judaism--"What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man." (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

Christianity--"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

Buddhism--"Seek for others the happiness you desire for yourself...Hurt not others with that which pains you." (Udana-varga 5,1)

Aboriginal--"You must always remember that the two-leggeds and all the other peoples who stand upon this earth are sacred and should be treated as such." (White Buffalo Calf Woman)

Sikhism--"I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all." (Guru Granth Sahib, page 1299)

Hinduism--"This is the sum of duty; do naught unto others what you would have them do unto you." (Mahabharata 5:1517)

Taoism--"Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain and your neighbour's loss as your own loss." (Lao Tzu, Tai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218)


Beatitudes for the Workplace by Max Oliva SJ
2009 Novalis Publishing Inc.

blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

When God Calls

If God calls me,
would there be a message left
on my answering machine?

If God dials my cell
would I be in traffic
and let the call go to voice mail?

Would God send me an email
or maybe a fax?

Does a letter come
with a stamp in the corner?

I wonder.

But I really wonder--
Will I recognize the voice...


ENCIRCLED by Buffy Ainsworth (1952-2006)
Buffy & Bob and their three children Heather, Jill & Stephen--our very dear friends!
Diagnosed with Thymoma January 1998, Buffy passed away peacefully in the arms of her husband, December 2006.  Email to order Encircled, click on twocookiebooks@shaw.ca

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

In today's meditation class we were reminded to be mindful of our thoughts.

As we sit in meditation, remind the SELF...

• I am a peaceful Soul residing in my body...
• I am a jewel and I have special qualities that no other Soul has...
• I am here for a unique purpose that only I, the Soul, can fulfill.

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization
Email: calgary@ca.bkwsu.org  P: 209-2988 (403)
http://www.bkwsu.org/

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

Thought for the Day...When we re-connect with the oldest memory of the soul, the state of peace, we can then re-establish peace in our inner world. This is the start of peace in the wider world.

Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization
Email calgary@ca.bkwsu.org  P: 209-2988 (403)
http://www.bkwsu.org/

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

ANGER is a self-created disturbance of your inner peace!

If you drop the mental attempt to control others and situations, and accept people and the world exactly as you find them at every moment, you will never see the red mist of anger again.

Don't Get MAD Get Wise by Mike George
Questions/comments for Mike at mike@relax7.com

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know of how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.

"The key to a good life is this: If you're not going to talk about something during the last hour of your life, then don't make it a top priority during your lifetime.

"What is going to make us happy and content is that "critical inch," the stuff we will talk about in that final hour of our life.  We need to make choices in our lives right now based on what's truly important.

"So, who would you speak to if you had only an hour to live?  What would you talk about in that final hour?  Most importantly, why are you waiting?"

An Hour to Live, an Hour to Love by Richard Carlson and Kristine Carlson
http://www.dontsweat.com/    http://www.richardcarlson.com/

Email blwoodard@shaw.ca -- share your story so others may come to know of how your life changed when you finally came to accept your SELF.