Whatever YOU Believe

FEBRUARY 29,2012

LEAAAP YEAR!!!

Happy day of confusion

and

here's to the

Leap year babies!

....

I never did figure out

where

to

Enter

based on this photograph

and sign!

But

I finally made my way to

"enter"

and enter I did

into an airport

in

....

well now I don't remember where!

Speaking of entering,

my thoughts today

are

on beliefs.

Now that is a tricky thought to enter

into!

What to believe,

who to believe,

how to believe,

when to believe,

Do you believe?

I BELIEVE!

Years and years of work in hospice

have given me a perspective of beliefs and thoughts that are beautiful

that have at times been challenging

and

have always fostered my own

true belief
that the Creator leads us all
to greatness, to oneness;

that life is in circles and seasons

and

cycles.

Very much akin to what Mary Labyak

of Hospice spoke so very often of

when she talked to colleagues, to legislature, to so many

around the world

about the vision and mission of

HOSPICE its concept, it work.

The very real ideal

of

Hospice care at is best;
its core being seen
and acted out in circles.

Beliefs are often

held sacred, private, often challenged in and within those circles.

Many attach faith, religion, spirituality

to belief systems,

it has never been more apparent

than in my lifes' work in hospice settings

as people face end of life issues.

Folks who are nearing the end of their lives, and those who love them

often will express their faith, their beliefs,
their anger, their angst
their anticipation,
their joy of what is to come.

I've sat with many, with chaplains, nurses, social workers, home health aids, volunteers,
many across the faith spectrum

as

we often explored the faith and belief systems

and

values of those we worked and spent time with. Often exploring our own in the same process!

Listening with all our senses

as fears, tears, anger, acceptance and

rituals were expressed.

Christians, Native Americans, Buddhists, Agnostics, Athesists, Jews, Muslims,

Wiccans, Pagans,

all with their own

set of beliefs.

Non-believers have their own beliefs and to hear and listen
openly is a vast and rich experience.

To not believe is in fact a belief system,

even if it is not yours.

To accept one for what they stand for

is true acceptance in life,

one without judgment,

one that says,

"to not believe is saying that is what you believe" and that is alright by me,
I value you for being who you are.

But,

it is also a belief system

to believe in truth, in honor, in justice

in

fairness,

and

when someone is "blowing smoke"

based on

what they present to you

and

how it is presented.
I remember Maya Angelou
and forget her wisdom so often,

"The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.”     ~ Maya Angelou ~

There are times when

the belief may begin in earnest
and then someone will show you who they are,
as you are suddenly
down a path

that leads us to wonder,

to suspect

that we have been led

to something that violates

our very beliefs
along with the beliefs and trust that had been established.

It is then

that we are wise to remember Maya Angelou, 
wise to step back,

re-evaluate

and

re-assess

the very core of self and what and who we believe in.

The foundations

the course, and the turns that were taken based upon the strength of our beliefs.

When living in a world so diverse

in beliefs,

it is always helpful

to stand strong in our own bodies, minds and spirit,

knowing we will need to be flexible

in our hearing, feelings, and thoughts.

Knowing that anothers' beliefs

may be completely opposite of ours,

but it does not diminish who we are

as

individuals

with beliefs, with thoughts, with attitude of gratitude.

It is in perhaps

these ways that we are so

universally connected

that we share

the idea

that whatever we

BELIEVE

it is up to us

to be responsible

and

acccountable

in our kindness and our stewardship

to others.
One of the many painful lessons I have learned through the years,
is that people you think you can believe
in

can lead you down a primrose path
and
then out of the blue
you will feel blindsided
once you realize
that business and believing
in the words of others
can be harsh
and userious
...
The harsh realities that make one realize
that YOU must believe in you
always
and that which is within
that motivates, and leads you
in your actions, words, good deeds
and
your life.

“Don’t Take Anything Personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.” ~ Don Miguel Ruiz ~

What is important

is to ask yourself

"What do I believe"

Walk in Beauty,

DRSES

keepin it real

www.sherryeshowalter.com