Interfaith. Multifaith. Faith. No faith.

It is a standard, historically in current day, that when a church is established the titular head of the group who was called to organize and lead is granted or installed as the pastor.  With the creation of Inclusive Life I did not identify with the title pastor or reverend, they seemed (in my view) too narrow for the scope of the work I was seeking to begin a journey for.  Chaplain seemed to be the closest match.

I certainly bit off more than I could chew!  I know that now.  I also know that there are some “industry standard” meanings as it relates to the common use of the title Chaplain, and I accept that as well.  Adding a descriptive word helped, Interfaith Chaplain.  As I continue my studies, grow and learn I was mistaken about the use of that word as well. 


My work is about celebrating and learning about EACH religion and life paths of others and not how they can be somehow inter-woven together.  Multifath Chaplain much more describes accurately the path, the focus and the work that I am doing with Inclusive Life.


AND it IS important for us to take time to give time and recognition on how various religions can work together.  On September 23 in 2010, H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan proposed at the UN General Assembly to observe “The World Interfaith Harmony Week”.  The observation was unanimously approved and slated for the first week of February of each year.


The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbor, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbor’. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith.

I hope that before I close my eyes for the final time in this world that I know that our world loves one another for who they are, not what they are; and with no regard for their religion. 

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

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

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, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Doctor

I started this blog entry as a response to various events in the media that demonstrate that we may not, in fact, have religious freedom in the United States.  I struggled to have a point without fire and making it a 5 page blog.

SO I thought about what came to my mind next, and that was sitting in my doctors office twice this week trying to get better. I am “ok”, just dealing with respiratory issues.  I have no health insurance.  That in and of itself could be a blog!  As such, I am careful to what tests, referrals and meds I am given.  We double and triple check to insure that they are absolutely needed.

I struggle at times in keep all the various billings straight, I think that it is a game to bigger hospitals when we have more than one patient ID and that we are billed under a new one each time.  It really makes billing a nightmare on the patients end, in my opinion.

While sitting in the room waiting for the doc to arrive I thought how lucky I am.  I am among the 10% wealthiest people in the world.  I have bills!  YAY!  I ALSO have access to healthcare.  Sure, it is very limited (to what out of pocket I can afford at that time) and what the budget will allow.  I think of people who live in countries and regions who may not see a doctor or have any access to any medical care for months or years if ever.  Some families bury family members without ever seeing a doctor or medical professional.   

I know that what we have is not perfect.  I it sure does need some common sense fixes (most of which involve eliminating loopholes, closing gaps, and doing what is right, not what is dictated by an staff of office folks, politicians and “consultants” (lobbyists)

I am grateful and blessed to have a world class doctor, nurse and care team at the clinic I go to.  If only other clinics got 50% of what is going on here, it would make better care for everyone!

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

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

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, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Eating

Someone once told me I am what I eat.  I suppose that there is some truth to that.  Although I do not look like a cheeseburger, I suppose that my body would be healthier if I ate a salad…

We live in a day and age that we are all running from point A to point B, busy, busy, busy!  And, a hectic lifestyle evidentially affects the ability of our body to utilize biological ingredients. The consequences range from being overweight up to digestive problems and gastric ulcers. Moreover, many people don't even notice the natural sensation of hunger these days.  We eat at programmed times.


You can avoid this by eating as slowly as possible and chewing very thoroughly and improve your food intake systematically. Make a small break in between and put your cutlery on the side. During this break try to notice deliberately the taste in your mouth and also the feeling of saturation. As this feeling appears after about 15 to 20 minutes, you should plan sufficient time and tranquility for your meals.

There is lots of advice for how many meals to eat and when.  I believe that there is something to be said for eating when you are hungry and stop eating as soon as you have the feeling of being full (which is normally delayed by several bites…)  If you feel saturated, don't finish off your plate and do not let others persuade you to eat more. Everyone, including children you should be allowed to leave food on their plate, the race isn’t to clean the plate but to eat until you are full.  Smaller portions don’t hurt as we can always put more on, we can take less out after we ate it!

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

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

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, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Breathing

It is said that practice makes perfect.  I was told, early on in life, that if you practice it wrong it is wrong.  SO perfect practice makes perfect.

I know that intentional living is important.  My first message on January 22^nd at Pathways Worship will be on intentional living.  Being healthy, in my opinion (and those of researchers, doctors and health guru’s) includes having a mind, body and spirit that are centered and in a good place.  One of these aspects is breathing.  We all need to do it.  Are we doing it correctly?

Incorrect breathing can lead to interruptions of our energy flow, which is due to the fact that the amount of energy is limited. A deep and conscious breathing activates the oxygen content of our blood and increases our productivity.


At night if we do not get proper breath, we can lose important rem sleep, many more of us than known suffer from some degree of sleep apnea.


When we learn to perceive our breathing consciously and intentionally, we can control it, we can release enormous energy reserves, which have positive effects both on a physical and on a psychological level.


Make sure that you deeply inhale through the nose and to exhale through the mouth. This gives your body more energy than it releases and makes the energy level rise. If you inhale through your mouth instead, and exhale through the nose, the energy potential of your body decreases.  In addition, your body is designed for you to breathe through your nose as it also serves as a “filter” of sorts for what is incoming.

Conscious, intentional breathing will help you gain energy, vitality and life.

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

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

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, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

Optimism

Dana Lightman is quoted as writing “Optimism works in conjunction with your life energy, strengthening your roots and keeping you grounded, stimulating the growth of new shoots and the development of new branches that form your life, energizing the creation that is you.”
Sure you have a choice as a human being in looking at life events through the lens of optimism or pessimism.  It seems that surveys verify statistically that optimists are significantly later confronted with symptoms of old age than pessimists.


We are the author of own life story.  We can choose to make it, look at it and live it how we want.  Others, whom we are surrounded by, can similarly choose to be a part of that journey or not.


While confidence and optimism depend mostly on attitude and thinking: people, who focus their attention mainly on the positive things in their life may feel more optimistic than those who merely zoom in on the negative aspects of one’s life.  Any of us can perceive the glass half empty or half full; that is in fact not a question of character or genetic predisposition. Each of us can acquire, be groomed, and trained to embrace optimism.


If you dedicate more room to confident thoughts in your life, practice positive ways of looking at things and also train the real acceptance of life, you will soon be on your way to a new outlook on life.  These steps will help you influence your thinking, feeling and behavior in an optimistic direction. In the evening, or just before falling asleep it is a  good exercise to go through all the positive experiences of the day and make yourself intensively aware of these moments. You can also make a daily list of things, that were positive on the previous day.


My last two: You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with.  Surround yourself with like minded people.  Not people that necessarily agree with everything you do.  However, birds of a feather flock together. Surround yourself with people who share your optimistic values.  And my last one; I love leaving notes for others… thank you notes if you will.  Do the same for yourself.  On a mirror in your restroom, car or bedroom that remind you of a quote, a thought or a passage that helps put you in the good mind-frame for the day.

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

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

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, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals

You Are...

I have always believed people are what you say about them.  As such, we are what we say, believe and well, we are what we groom ourselves to be.  When we manage to find ourselves  attractive and likeable, despite your actual or imaginary weaknesses and deficiencies, you will radiate self-confidence. The result: Those around you will see, feel and know you to be attractive and likeable as well!

This is far more than putting on a nicer shirt, a good haircut, and a new pair of shoes.  It is not just about changing what your image is in the mirror, it must include what you feel, think and believe inside.  It really boils down to that little train that could… that DID! 


A fundamental principle of life I hope that we all agree to is the inherent worth, dignity and respect of every human being.  As such you yourself have to have ownership of your own self worth.  You ARE beautiful.  You ARE loved.  And you ARE worthy.  JUST as you are.  You must love, respect and honor yourself before you can expect one other person to do so.

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

Royal D. Bush serves as Interfaith Chaplain.  He has studied at Andersonville Theological Seminary, and the International Institute of Faith Based Counseling.  He also holds a Bachelor Degree in business administration. He is available for premarital coaching, couples coaching, life coaching, and pastoral care in the Nebraska and Iowa area.

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, and Pastoral Care. To reach Chaplain Royal or Chaplain Beth please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals