Inclusive Life Daily Vibrations

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105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Honoring our pets

For many, pets (many shapes, sizes, types, colors, weights, and ages) are considered our family. To many of those who have had pets, they understand. And, there are many who think the idea of considering animals “family” is crazy talk. I do believe that animals are often much smarter than many give them credit for. Their knowing glance, touch, purr, bark, waggle, movement, or just them being. We take time to honor the memory of our family members no longer with us…

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I'm not lying there.

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "it's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew, in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say "good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out ... then come home to be with me.

-Author Unknown

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One life at a time.

CONTACT US:

www.inclusivelife.org (NEW WEB SITE)

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Monday, February 27, 2012

One life

As Gloria Gaynor sings “Its one life and theres no return and no deposit” As we grow up, wise up and live we realize that we, ourselves, are 100% responsible for our life, our journey, and our own actions.

Some people choose to wait for something to happen, or what for a break or wait for luck to happen. They will find in the end, that opportunities passed them by too many times.

I recall while working at a large hotel, hearing talk in the cafeteria. I would hear others talk about how someone did them wrong and how the system is holding them back and how life prevents them from moving forward. What I heard was I am a victim and I can’t help myself. I need someone to live for me. Today, my advice for them would be stop! Stop being a victim. Start living your life. You have the ability, power and wherewithal to live life, if you choose to.

I remember the people who surrounded them, they were all agreeing and nodding in compliance. That is a problem. You need to surround yourself with people who make you a better person. People who will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. People who will encourage you, help you and be a cheerleader for you.

Your life will be what you make of it. Yes there will be hurdles. No it will not always be fun. Yes it is rewarding. No there is no rule book. And, circumstances are not always in our control and things that happen may not always seem fair. You may not get what you want when you want it, you will get what you need when you need it.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One life at a time.

Inclusive Life offers both nondenominational and nonreligious care: serving all, without exception! Inclusive Life offers Wedding Ministers, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching, Funeral Ministers, End of Life Planning, Pastoral Care, and Pathways Worship.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 402-575-7006 end_of_the_skype_highlighting

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Connection

How do we spend our time in life? Often we ignore the ones that adore us and adore the ones who ignore us. We love the ones who hurt us and hurt the ones that love us. We often “talk” to our friends via FaceBook, text messages, emails and Skype. How often to you meet face to face, hold hands, hug and see each other eye to eye and hear and feel their words, expressions and feelings? (I won’t even mention handwritten notes!) (Yes, people used to actually write notes!)

While much can be said for the advances in technology, it has saved lives it has “improved” our abilities to communicate in new ways, I submit it has NOT improved our ability to communicate as a people. In fact, I say that it has retarded our growth and social skills in many ways.

I urge you to take a step back and think of how you interact with parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, co-workers, and others whom you care about. How do you REALLY interact with them? What can you do differently to communicate with them in a way that is most authentic, important and meaningful to you? Good. DO IT!

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One connection at a time.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Walk in the park...

We all can remember being in school. The one thing we all forget, in some ways, is our gym class. Every single day that had us doing something. Playing kickball, softball, soccer, flag football, doge ball, climbing ropes, running, walking, it was always something. For those 45 minutes, our heart rates raced, we had physical exercise (without knowing it) 5 days a week AND it didn’t kill us! Haha.

I think we can recall how we felt after gym class; most of the time we probably felt excited, awake, and alive. And when we got to go outside, what a treat!

Nature is one of our most important energy sources. One of the main reasons for this is that our senses are stimulated in many different ways through the contact with nature. Today, we focus in our everyday lives often on our senses of hearing and sight to obtain information (and whatever our fingers can type.) In nature the other sense are addressed as well, like taste, smell and touch. This means that we exploit the full potential of our senses in nature.

So experience nature very attentively with all your senses. Watch the clouds, the sun and the light. Observe the trees, fields and flowers precisely. Realize all the colors, smells and sounds deliberately and intensely.

Take the opportunity in your everyday life over and over to experience nature consciously: Inhale the fresh morning air intensively when you leave the house. Enjoy a little walk during your lunch break and indulge in the magnificent smell of spring or after work, or appreciate the breathtaking beauty of a sunset. Listen to the chirping birds and observe the colorful summer flowers that bloom along the way. Take advantage of the wonderful "power of nature." - You will see your energy level will boost.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One walk in the park at a time.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Friday, February 24, 2012

Inclusive Life Wedding Photos

We have created a new website, using an entirely new platform. I believe it is our best website to date, for us. I am very pleased with it. Please give it a look www.inclusivelife.org

In addition, our Wedding Photos are now available. We use Picasa to maintain them. We hope you enjoy sharing so many good memories.

The Person in the Mirror

YOU are not perfect!

YOU make mistakes.

YOU have weaknesses!

YOU have much to learn

YOU…

YOU can learn!

YOU are worthy!

YOU are who you are!

YOU make a difference

YOU have strengths

YOU…

YOU are beautiful and you are loved.

People become what we say about them. If in a staff meeting, a group of managers imply or say that “Pat” is a bad worker, is lazy and needs to go. Guess what? Pat will become lazy, Pat will become a bad work. And Pat, will eventually go away. If at the same meeting a group of managers imply that “Bob” is a great employee, is very productive and should be employee of the month… guess what! It will happen.

The same holds true for what we see in, believe in and feel about ourselves. Every single human being has faults, deficiencies, and has made mistakes. AND we have strengths, abilities, and character that allows us to grow, learn and be us. When we accept who and what we are, the sooner everyone else can too!

Be aware that this is not just about changing a look into the mirror. Say "yes" to yourself and accept yourself as you are. This strengthens your inner balance and your self-esteem enormously, and makes you appear sovereign and self-confident automatically.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One look in the mirror at a time.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Believe

A friend of mine who is a Pastor here in Omaha posted this image on her FaceBook page this week. It really resonated with me, for many reasons. It speaks to my multifaith approach to religion and life. It speaks to the fact that there is more than on religion. It speaks to the fact that there can be more than on religion and there is enough room for us to “play” (live, work, love) with one another.

There are times that I observe men and women who are heads of churches preach and teach that you “must” believe this, or that. You must live life this way. Often times, their interpretation of scriptures from the Bible.

Based on uncertainty and the hope to be acting in the right way, we often rely on the advice of others, and sometimes religions and places of worship. It is much more self-confident, if you also trust yourself and come to decisions concerning yourself, without always following other people’s opinions or simply doing what you are told without being able to ask questions or seek the answers you have.

Listen to yourself and follow your own instincts. No one knows you as good as you know yourself; so you can be your best adviser. Remain open to possibilities, suggestions and input from others AND insist to decide about important aspects of your life journey on your own. You will see: If you find the courage to become more independent, your self confidence will increase quite a bit.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One decision at a time.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Enlightenment

I received an email from someone who read this blog. After reviewing other blog entries, and the Inclusive Life website, they asked if I believe in God. I replied yes. Then they asked if I have ever read the Bible. I replied yes. They asked how I could promote such an agenda if I believe in God and have read the Bible. I replied: Do you believe in God and do you read the Bible. The God that I know from reading the Bible is one of love, acceptance and not of condemnation, hate and fire. They didn’t respond again.

As an openly gay man I have never struggled with my sexual orientation. I knew in the 6^th grade that I was gay. Period. I knew after going to church for first time that I believed in God. Period. I know as a 43 year old man that I pay taxes, I vote, I am give back to my community. And I still long for the day that my government allows me freedom, protection and equality from the “state of religion” that seems to be governing this country today.

The Dalai Lama said “Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity. It is not enough, as communist systems have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. Human nature needs to breathe the precious air of liberty.”

I do believe in God. I believe in a lot of other life principles, lessons and values. I don’t like to place a label on my faith beliefs as they are sacred and meaningful to me. I do not fit in your box, your category or share your exact same beliefs. That does not make me, or you, a bad person, an evil person or a person that will go to “hell.” What it does make me, is me. I believe that if all lived by a frame of thought that the sacred, the life force, the enlightenment in me recognizes, honors and respect the same in you, that would make the world such a better place to live.

Namate!

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. No pointing fingers.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Today me, tomorrow...

It took me a long time in life to understand “today you, tomorrow me.” For the first ¾ of my life it was me, me, me. I talked about me, I promoted me, I loved me. The truth is there was nothing of substance to love at that point in my life. No, I was not a horrible person. I did do some good things, but there always had to be an angle that would benefit me in some way.

Today you, tomorrow me. An enlightenment of life that I have is that it IS about paying it forward. It is about doing to others as you would have them do to you. It is about karma. It is about doing what is right. It is about being a good neighbor. And it will come back to you.

A young man was kicked out of his home because his parents learned he was gay. They asked him to hide it or “change” as it did not reflect their religious values. He said no, they asked him to leave. With a part time job, nothing but his clothes to his name he moved out. We were getting ready to move and I said that I had a chair to give a way. He called, we met and he told me his story. He left with a chair. A sofa. A kitchen table and chairs. A set of dishes. Glasses and silverware. I didn’t know how I was going to explain what I had done nor how I would replace those items. It all worked out.

We can live with less, most of us, even those of us without large bank accounts, have more than we need. When we share what we have with others it creates the pay it forward effect that does make a huge difference in this world. I truly believe that. Today you need help and I will be there for you. Tomorrow I may need it.

What do you have in storage or something that you have more than one of that you could give away. I don’t mean simply to a thrift store, but intentionally, and directly to someone who needs it?

How can you live with less?

What are the first 3 steps you can take to live with less?

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One hand UP at a time.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Monday, February 20, 2012

The power of one...

The great humanitarian, example and teacher Mahatma Gandhi said “As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves.” He, like Moses, didn’t think they were too remarkable or worthy of the praise that were offered to them.

In retrospect both men lived incredible lives doing remarkable work. Gandhi’s works lives on in the teachings that he gave us. If he left us with only one message, it might be that we can be the change that we seek in ourselves and of this world. Take a look at the brief 2 minute video of the power of one. CLICK HERE

Ourselves, our relationship, our family, our friends, at work, volunteering, our communities, our states, our country, this planet we all have the ability to be the change we want to see. It takes us putting one foot in front of the other. When we do, we will begin to walk and move forward. If not, we will always be where we stand, and have no one to blame but ourselves.

What is important to you?

What would you like to change?

What is your first 3 steps?

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One step a time.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US:

402-575-7006

105 S. 49^th Street Omaha, NE 68132

500 Willow Ave Council Bluffs, IA 51503

Omaha Weddings. Omaha Counseling. Omaha Funerals, Nebraska Weddings

Council Bluffs Weddings, Council Bluffs Counseling, Council Bluffs Funeral, Iowa Weddings

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Duck Duck Goose...

I learned a long time ago that in this world I may only be one person. I also know that to one person, I may be the world. Their life net, if you will.

Robert Knight, an animal lover shared shares a story about growing up. He lived in a house that was a few blocks from a pond. One day some ducks made it to his yard. He fed them bread. They came back daily for this treat. Then they seem to disappear. Then one day after a big storm they both showed up again, quacking and carrying on. He fed them bread but they wanted more. Almost in a Lassie way of communicating they “told him” to follow them. And he did. They lead him to a storm drain where their ducklings had got stuck in. A long story out, he helped them get out. They visited once more, the next day with the family. And he never saw them again. I believe animals are much smarter than most people give them credit for.

This also reminds me of another quote that I share with you often. People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. I know this to be so very true. As I develop friendships and relationships, it has been easy for me to lose sight of this life lesson.

I am a very blessed man to have crossed paths with some most wonderful people who have shared such wonderful times, experiences and sometimes life lessons. I would not trade for anything; including the challenging times.

We can be the change we seek in this world. and in ourselves. One day. One journey. One person. One duck duck goose at a time.

Chaplain Royal officiates weddings and funerals in Iowa and Nebraska. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, pastoral care and hospital visits.

CONTACT US: