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Namaste Peacemakers,
Happy Season of Peace! Happy Leap Day!
A year which is not a leap year is called a common year. So this week let us remember how extraordinary all of us and all of this is ~ that we can plant thought seeds in every breath! Let us remember to keep taking the leap into love ... Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it. ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We continue to celebrate love and the Season Of Peace on the website. Through recommendation of the Association for Global New Thought, I was interviewed for a recurring spot on Unity FM for the Season featuring the site, and our splendid Seeds Of Peace Family Day Retreat on March 22 at Piccolo Pastures in Elk Grove. In the Center's Ecumenical Garden, we will honor all paths to God & peace. We will have an affirmation egg hunt and plant Seeds Of Peace; within ourselves and each other as well as in the soil of the farm and in pots to take home. Cost is set at $17 adult, $12 Youth (under 2 free) and while this donation barely covers the food, frolic & beautiful center, we still vow to turn no one away for lack of funds. Join us! Register by St. Patty's Day, 3/17.
And check out www.unity.fm for a wonderful way to put the goodness of Unity in your ears and heart. Also, at www.lauriesstories.com, we have an outrageous Leap Day Offer: Join our Leaping Literacy Online Library for just $29 and access hundreds of Laurie Stor-BooksTM and hundreds of interactive word play games 24/7 for a whole year. Plant those seeds of literacy for any young readers you know! Whatever seeds you are planting this week, take an extraordinary leap of Faith, and plant them in peace ...
Love & Hugs To All,
Laurie Story Vela, M.A. 800.ABC.4974
storylaurie@lauriestories.com
www.newthoughtfamilies.com
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In The Heart Of Love |
Namaste Beloved Hearts,
Happy Season of Peace! Happy Season of Love! Happy Valentine's Day! A great reminder to be in our heart of hearts, the heart of Love. The Catholics "removed" St. Valentine from their official St. roster in 1969 and americancatholic.org reports, "The roots of St. Valentine's Day lie in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on Feb. 15. For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year. Pope Gelasius I was, understandably, less than thrilled with this custom. So he changed the lottery to have both young men and women draw the names of saints whom they would then emulate for the year (a change that no doubt disappointed a few young men). Instead of Lupercus, the patron of the feast became Valentine. For Roman men, the day continued to be an occasion to seek the affections of women, and it became a tradition to give out handwritten messages of admiration that included Valentine's name." Whew!
Our February Newsletter can be read online and/or heard in a sound file at: http://www.newthoughtfamilies.com/Newsletter.html
It includes: Loving Heartbeats: A diet Coke can reminds us Live Give Love and finding unconditional love at my nephew's Catholic confirmation where the youth spoke to seeing the Christ in each other; touching the holy spirit within and knowing how to love and be Christ in the world from being with each other. Letters Of Love: Our Winter retreat did not come to pass but there is an (online) invitation to express your love ~ similar to the Roman men but New Thought Families style! Season Of Peace: A conference call with youth leaders across the nation through the Association for Global NewThought. Family Retreats!: No winter gathering but a splendid Seeds Of Peace Spring Day Retreat on March 22 at Piccolo Pastures in Elk Grove. "Come out of the circle of time And into the circle of love." - Rumi Cyber Peace: Our web site marks it's 1 year anniversary and over 100,000 hits this first year! In The Heart Of Love: A poem and invitation to sit with me in the heart of Love...One heartbeat, One Love. |
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Love & Hugs To All,
Laurie Story Vela, M.A. 800.ABC.4974
storylaurie@lauriestories.com
www.newthoughtfamilies.com |
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New Thought Families Newsletter: In The Heart Of Love
Issue #17 Second Sunday, February 10, 2008 |
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Hear this Newsletter!
In This Issue:
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Namaste Beloveds,
I am sitting in the heart of love pondering you and me and our children and the planet. And I ask ... "What is in the heart of love?" The whisper comes ... "I Am in the heart of Love. I Am Source. Spirit. Breath." And in this breath of God's Love, I Am at One with the heart of Love.
Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold. ~Zelda Fitzgerald
So then, I look at a calendar. Here we are in the Season of Peace and NonViolence and the day of Love approaches this week ... St. Valentine's Day, a Hallmark day if you know what I mean ... Can you really trade mark love?! Yesterday, I read and reread the
CocaCola can: Live Give LoveTM At first, I was so delighted that there it was ~ the great invitation, the ultimate reminder ~ Live Give Love ~ YES! And then ... it was trademarked? Ug. Mmmmmmmmm, o.k. I can ignor those 2 little letters and just sit in the heart of love ... be joyfully reminded to Live Give Love ~ from whatever the Source...!!! Surely this can be applied to the myriad of other images out there this week ... As billboards claim to know what love is, I reaffirm it's continuous presence in my life ~ in the sky, the trees, water to drink and splash in, my precious Jeremiah, colors, food, music ... truly the list is endless. And as I continue to pray into unconditional Love, I see more and more how we realize connection with the Holy through ordinary experiences.
Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.
~Peter Ustinov
Jeremiah and I spent this weekend with family. It provided lots of opportunities for me to consider and reconsider Love. We gathered to honor and celebrate my 17 year old nephew's Catholic Confirmation ceremony. Held at the progressive Newman Center, there were 43 young adults making this sacred vow. Of course, I tripped down Memory Lane to my own confirmation; I was 13 or 14 and though I had been a very devout Catholic kid relishing in the ritual and even contemplating being a nun, the focus of confirmation was to vow to the Catholic church and I did not want to do it. There was no doubt I was vowed to God but I wanted to experience different religions, I think I knew then that there were many paths to the same God and I experienced God through nature just as strongly as I did in the church. Well, I was "made" to confirm anyway and I rebelled and spent very little time in the Catholic church from that time forward. The rest of my family are all still practicing Catholics. Thankfully, the focus of my nephew's confirmation was not about the church but rather about living a Christ centered life. The ceremony was really quite beautiful though I still had my moments ... I just involuntarily shudder at the word "sin" which was probably mentioned a half dozen times ~ and this causes certain of my family members to worry for my salvation. Still and all, we are able to return to a place of acceptance and unconditional love for each other. The music for the ceremony was quite awesome though again, I differ in viewpoint with the lyrics ... "Fire of Love... Come down from heaven", you know I just want to be in that Oneness; "Fire of Love in me "But, after all, this was minor compared to my family's acceptance of my Christmas lyrics referring to Jesus as way show-er instead of Saviour. All that aside, the part of the ceremony that really moved me to tears was when a few of the young people spoke of their experience. One said she was an existentialist ... and only able to experience God's love through her classmates. They spoke to seeing the Christ in each other; touching the holy spirit within and knowing how to love and be Christ in the world from being with each other. This was a 2 year program that included 2 retreats and the love letters that inspired me to want to do a Letters Of Love Retreat. We family members all wrote a letter of appreciation, affirmation, love for our loved one in the program and the youth wrote letters to their parents. It was a life changing experience for some discovering things they hadn't known. It was the experiences of loving each other that enabled these youth to really know God's Love. And isn't that true for all of us? Don't we all need to be needed? That's purpose. Don't we all want friendship and community? That's Oneness. Don't we all deserve to be accepted for who we are? That's unconditional Love. It beats in every one of our hearts, we've only to listen. I love you~ with all my heart. Thank you for being here ~ I sit with you now in the heart of Love ...
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 Letters Of Love
A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it. ~ Frank A. Clark
Though our New Thought Families Letters Of Love Winter retreat was not to be for 2008, we still offer you an opportunity for expression. The idea is to express what's in your heart to those you love, so this requires nothing more than your willingness to create the time and space to do it. Though the essence of love is in the actions rather than the words, we all need to express and hear what we mean to others by way of honoring ourselves and each other. In case you need any boosts or starters, we offer you a few ideas and samples on our Letters Of Love page .
Write to God! Write to yourself! Write to those you love that you think already know how you feel; maybe they do and maybe hearing your kind, affirming, affectionate words will open them in new ways ~ it will surely make them feel wonderful and ... loved. Maybe they really don't know. Try expressing yourself to anyone that calls to your heart! And if this love letter practice is going well, maybe expand your expressions to someone you don't even like much less love! New insights and freedom are sure to come... and you can always decide to keep or burn a letter rather than send it ... your expression will still fuel the good vibrations of the planet and put you in touch with more of the love you are.
We also offer the space and suggestion to write a loving, compassionate letter to someone you don't know ... someone who may need your words of encouragement. Through organizations, you can reach out with love, compassion, and kindness to a stranger. We offer the sample of Jordan Gruver who was brutally beat up by Klansmen and championed by the Southern Poverty Law Center ... what love can you offer him?
Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that.
~Michael Leunig
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 Season of Peace 
You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.~ Gandhi
Welcome Season of Peace and Nonviolence! From the Association for Global New Thought: "January 30 - April 4, is a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world."
I was honored to be on the first of a series of conference calls this week for youth education in the Season Of Peace. It was through the Association For Global New Thought and had some amazing folks throughout the country who are making inspirational differences where they are. I hope to feature some of them and their work on the web site so stay fine tuned...
For our part, we offer the Letters Of Love activity as a pathway to love and peace, our New Thought Families Seeds Of Peace Spring Retreat , and the Peace Cabaret featured on site. There are many simple remembrances like the 64 Ways in 64 Days offering us ample opportunities to choose peace. Remember, peace does begin with us and this awareness is all the seed we need to grow gardens of love and peace...
Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one. ~ John Lennon
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New Thought Family Retreats!
"Come out of the circle of time And into the circle of love." ~ Rumi
New Thought Families continue to circle up to play & pray!
"Angel Wash" at 2007 Feather's Of Faith Family Retreat
Our February Letters of Love Winter Retreat
was not to be this year so we are having a Big Love party at our house,
offering suggestions through the site for all to write and give Love Letters
& we have another very special Day Retreat offered for Easter/Spring Equinox:
March: Spring Retreat
in the Ecumenical Garden & Farm Pastures!
"Seeds Of Peace" Spring Retreat: March 22, 2008
Piccolo Pastures Retreat Center, Elk Grove, CA
This is a wonderful day opportunity to take a short drive and step into tranquility, love, peace and joy! We will play & pray at Piccolo Pastures with their animals and beautiful Ecumenical Garden. We will honor the Spring Equinox & a planet of One Heart, plant seeds of peace and have a life & love affirming Easter egg hunt. Fun for all ages! Please RSVP by 3/17 with online registration or by contacting Laurie.
August: Feathers of Faith Family Retreat
in the Granite of the High Sierra Mountains!
"Feathers Of Faith" Summer Retreat: August 14-17, 2008
Stockton Camp, Silver Lake, CA
Our 2nd annual Feather's Of Faith Family Retreat is set to return to
Silver Lake in the high Sierras in August; set your calendar now!
Make sure you reserve your space & take advantage of the early bird pricing!
 
Taking time, making time to be with those you love most
in a place sure to lift your souls... opportunity & space to gather,
connect, nurture, and BE together in nature & Oneness, stillness & JOY!
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 Cyber Peace 
The art of love... is largely the art of persistence. ~Albert Ellis
Our New Thought Families web site had its 1 year anniversary this week! The site launched on 2-7-2007 and took in 9,893 visitors and 101, 507 hits this 1st year. WOW!
The conference call through Global New Thought with peacemakers and educators for the young happened on our site launch anniversary and gave rise to the hope of the original site intent of nurturing a garden or stone soup of contributors ... we are planting seeds of peace in fertile soil of hope, unity, and Love.
Meanwhile, we still have lots of great back logged content and ideas and I am letting peace breathe me that all is in Divine Order.
As previously mentioned, we have a new Letters of Love page, Peace pages, Songs Of Peace page Love & Hugs & HUGS around the world! We will be adding more loving & peaceful messages throughout the Season. Send us your love letters and messages of peace ~ we'd love to add them into our blooming garden!
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. ~Jean Anouilh
Upcoming Monthly Themes:
March - Kindness
www.newthoughtfamilies.com is an inspirational SPIRIT place to play and pray and celebrate life's goodness with childlike passion, fun, wonder, and reverence.
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 In The Heart Of Love
In the heart of Love,
divinity's dance of diamonds shines the brilliant Light of Source.
In the heart of Love
lives kindness, forgiveness, tenderness ... Love's essence, of course.
In the heart of Love,
is the courage to heal, the willingness to feel and the truth of what's real.
In the heart of Love,
is the only Love that's true ~ it is the I Am that is the heart of you.
In the heart of Love
lives the heart of us ... the dream of our reality, giving, living Love so beautifully.
Sit, breathe, be in the heart of Love with me
remembering, serving, living the essence you're made of ...
In the heart of Love.
~Laurie Story
Thank you, thank you, thank you, for sitting here with me in the heart of Love; may you fully open to the beautiful I Am that is the heart of you. Namaste, Love, namaste.
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Click Here to Subscribe!
Archived Newsletters for New Thought Families:
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February 08:
02/10 In The Heart Of Love
02/11 In The Heart Of Love Post Card
02/25 Seeds Of Peace Post Card |
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December 07:
12/25 MERRY New Thought Families
12/9 Angel Of Joy Is Born In Me!
12/4 Invitation -
Shine Your Light! |
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October 07:
10/7 The Dance Of Abundance
10/23 Invitation -
Abundant Fun: God Rocks! |
September 07:
9/9 Let Go & Pray
9/23 Post Card - In Equal Balance: Equinox Blessings!
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August 07:
8/6 Post Card - Trust Seeds Faith
8/12 Living Trust In August
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June 07:
6/10 Calling Father Christmas
6/21 Post Card - Shining Stillness |
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February 07:
2/04 Season Of Love
2/14 Post Card - Rejoice In Love |
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December 06:
12/08 Life's A Gift
12/24 Post Card - A Merry Moment |
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© 2007-2008 Laurie
Story Vela, M.A. & New Thought Families
All Rights Reserved For Sharing & Caring
storylaurie@lauriestories.com 1-800-ABC-4974
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