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Spiritual: August 03, 2011 Issue [#4538]

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Spiritual


 This week: "I Wonder How I'll Be Remembered."
  Edited by: Shannon Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

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Welcome to the
Spiritual Newsletter. I am Shannon Author IconMail Icon and I'm honored to be your guest editor this week.

This week's edition was inspired by and is dedicated to Reverend Jackie Holland. Thank you for all you do.


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Letter from the editor

I often have an epiphany as I sit in the sanctuary of Boise Idaho's Center for Spiritual Living on Sunday mornings and listen to Reverend Jackie Holland speak. She's a brilliant, dynamic woman, and no matter what I have going on in my life her messages always seem to hit home. July 24, 2011 was no exception.

Reverend Jackie said that, as a pastor, the most commonly-asked questions she hears are, "What is my purpose?" "Why was I sent here?" "What is my life about?" and "How will I know what God's divine purpose is for my life?" She then went on to explain that she'd spent the week sitting at the bedsides of two different parishioners who were in the process of making end-of-life decisions. One of the dying women squeezed Jackie's hand and said, "I wonder how I'll be remembered." Jackie said such a profound question shouldn't be reserved for the end of our lives, rather we should be asking ourselves this question every day. "That's another way of saying, 'What is mine to do?'" she said. "And when we know how we want to be remembered, then  we find our purpose and our passion in life, and there's the miracle."


mir·a·cle
noun--
an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all
known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. (Dictionary.com)


Imagine the seeming impossibility of your own existence for a moment. The likelihood of that  particular spermatozoon combining with that  particular ovum, that  particular fertilized egg actually implanting successfully and resulting in you ... the odds must be millions, maybe billions to 1. You are a miracle. You were sent here for a reason--a specific purpose. What is it? Only you can answer that, and you can begin by asking yourself how you want to be remembered.

"All we ever  have to give is who we are," Reverend Jackie said. "We don't have anything else to give. We think  we're giving money, we think  we're giving talks, we think  we're giving whatever it is that we believe that we're giving, but in reality all we can do is give who we are."

This touched me profoundly, and I instantly knew it to be true. I thought of all the times I'd bought food for or given money to someone holding a cardboard sign on a street corner ... and the time I hugged a friend in church as she cried on my shoulder because her marriage was falling apart. I remembered all the times I'd lingered in patient rooms because they felt isolated and scared and they needed someone to talk to--someone to care. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was giving a piece of who I am to each and every one of these people--extending a hand and opening my heart to them.

I will remember Jackie's words the next time someone offers to let me go ahead of them in line at the grocery story because they have a full cart and I only have two items, or when a coworker buys me lunch, or when a stranger smiles at me for no apparent reason. They are giving me a gift--sharing a piece of themselves, and I can't think of anything more beautiful than that.



"The following words of Gandhi are in large letters at the shrine area of his cremation place in Raj Ghat. These are cut in stone: 'Recall the face of the poorest and the most helpless man whom you've seen and ask yourself if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him. Will he be able to gain anything by it? Will it restore him to control over his own life and destiny?' That's a hard one--to run each act you perform through that." ~ Ram Dass


How does your soul desire to give back? What do you long to contribute to the world? What is your purpose? How do you want to be remembered?

Thank you for reading.

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Editor's Picks

Please enjoy this week's featured selections and remember to do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!

Admirable Women Open in new Window. (ASR)
How will I be remembered? Something for us all to ponder.
#446257 by Kenzie Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1165243 by Not Available.


Memoirs 1: Timmy Open in new Window. (ASR)
A memoir of the death of a playmate when I was a a child, and reflections.
#973270 by revdbob Author IconMail Icon


 Lost Opportunity Open in new Window. (ASR)
Don't miss the purposes you meant to fulfill when you chose your family.
#481068 by Ron Henry Author IconMail Icon


Why The Dogwood Doesn't Grow Straight. Open in new Window. (E)
The author remembers and presents a story told by his father.
#1237226 by Stuart Reb Donald Author IconMail Icon


 Toads/Frogs, and the Purpose of My Life Open in new Window. (E)
Prose-poetry
#1244446 by Smurfette Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Feedback


The following is in response to "Spiritual Newsletter (July 6, 2011)Open in new Window.:

roloflanagan Author IconMail Icon says, "Great newsletter, I enjoyed its positive message."
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.

Rajalakshmi Author IconMail Icon says, "Hi Shannon! Thank you for the beautiful newsletter. Very insightful and very well written! Each of us have the power to make a difference. We just need to be careful to make a good difference! If only each of us try to ADD what we can to life, rather than try to GET what we can, the world will be a much better place. Thanks again for the beautiful words of wisdom!" I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you for your kind words.

Olivia Author IconMail Icon says, "This story was very touching. Thank you so much for sharing Shannon :)" Thank YOU so much for taking the time to read and comment.

Joy Author IconMail Icon says, "Such wonderful advice. It reminds me of turn the other cheek: 'If someone insults you, don't respond in kind, respond kindly.' Thank you for a moving newsletter, Shannon. *Smile*" Thank you, Joy. I appreciate your encouragement and support.

GRAMPA ED Author IconMail Icon says, "Shannon, I enjoyed reading this article even though it was a fast read. I will save it and read it when I have a little more time on my hands. I may have to quit writing for a while. (OUCH)" Grampa Ed, are you implying that my newsleter is so long-winded that you'd have to quit writing just to find the time to read it in its entirety? *Laugh* Thank you for "saving" it, and thank you for the feedback. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

Submitted Items


Oh the Cost Open in new Window. (13+)
This is about the price any soldier could pay. Please be respectful when you r/r it.
#1622344 by BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author IconMail Icon

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