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Reflections: On The Power of Prayer…
Reflections: On The Power of Prayer…
“One single grateful thought towards heaven, is the most perfect prayer.” Minna von Barnhelm
“Begin always with all prayer and supplications in the spirit” Ephesians 6:18
Nature: Power of Prayer
Prayerful Hands ~ Peace Doves
Today, I went back to see Avatar in 3D and the scene where the Na’vi gathered under their most sacred tree to offer a group prayer to God (Eywa), got me thinking about the myriad ways people from different cultures around the world pray; and about the power of prayer and its impact on life – particularly everyday life. When I got home, I decided to run a quick internet search on the topic and found enough data to keep me occupied for a lifetime.
I found listed in Richard Foster’s classic book, Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, 21 types of prayer.* Each prayer had a specific purpose yet collectively established that we reach out to God constantly with a litany of reports, requests and reactions. Throughout this piece, I have interwoven prayers, blessings and pieces on prayer from other sources.
“Prayer is not a discourse. It is a form of life, the life with God. That is why it is not confined to the moment of verbal statement.” Jacques Ellul
“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” John Bunyan
Lake Meditation
Om purnamadah, purnamidam, purnat purnamudachyate,
Purnasya purnamadaya purnamevavashisyate.
Om shanti shanti shanti
This is perfect, that is perfect, from the perfect springs the perfect,
If the perfect is taken from the perfect, only the perfect remains.
May peace, peace, and more peace be everywhere. The Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upanishad
“Accustom yourself gradually to carry Prayer into all your daily occupation — speak, act, work in peace, as if you were in prayer, as indeed you ought to be.” François Fénelon
“Rich is the person who has a praying friend.” Janice Hughes
Brad Whalen: Age and Youth
Foster’s book reminded me that “God values the ordinary” and every act of supplication, intercession, expiation, adoration and meditation pries open another door to God’s heart. God welcomes all prayerful hearts regardless of the size of the issue or one’s religious inclinations. This is an interesting point because we often look at prayer through the lens of a huge event or big request that was answered. Yet, it is the blessings of our everyday, grinding moments that constitute the peace and understanding we experience routinely.
“Prayer in its highest form is agonizing soul sweat.” Leonard Ravenhill
“We must alter our lives in order to alter our hearts, for it is impossible to live one way and pray another.” William Law
Mawlana Konya: Whirling Dervishes
On Prayer
Then a priestess said, Speak to us of Prayer.
And he answered, saying:
You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.
For what is prayer but the expansion of yourself into the living ether?
And if it is your comfort to pour your darkness into space, it is for your delight to pour forth the dawning of your heart.
And if you cannot but weep when your soul summons you to prayer, she should spur you again and yet again, though weeping, until you shall come laughing.
When you pray you rise to meet in the air those who are praying at that very hour, and whom save in prayer you may not meet. Kahlil Gibran on Prayer
“The Third Petition of the Lord’s Prayer is repeated daily by millions who have not the slightest intention of letting anyone’s will be done but their own.” Aldous Huxley
“Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Corrie Ten Boom
Man at Prayer Wall…
In my research, I found many types of prayers as well as styles of praying, however, the most common thread for prayerful people from different faiths worldwide was/is the belief in a great God and the basic goodness of people. In terms of style, our prayers can be formal, conversational, devotional/scriptural, prayer walking/dancing or spontaneous songs and inspired prayers. While the styles are distinct, we all tend to use several of the praying styles listed above at once.
“Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God.” Andrew Murray
“There is a mighty lot of difference between saying prayers and praying.” John G. Lake
Muslim Woman Praying…
A Prayer
May God have mercy on those who lead the way
and those who come behind and those who fulfill their vows,
and those who seek to fulfill them,
with His Grace and bounty, His great benefits and favors!
For He is the best object of petition and the noblest object of hope;
and God is the best protector and the most merciful
of those who show mercy, and the best of friends and the best of heirs
and the best replacer of what has been consumed. Mevlâna Jalâluddîn Rumi
“You may pray for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with Him all day.” Fredrik Wisloff
“I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.” John Wesley
Allison Wicks: Buddhist Prayer Flags
Our prayers can be vocal, mental or meditative and we connect through the following channels:
Prayer of Supplication: Petition or asking for something
Prayer of Intercession: Mediate on behalf of another person.
Prayer of Faith: This means knowing God’s will and praying with the insight that the outcome will be for the best of all. Unforgiveness and doubt are two obstacles to the prayer of faith
Prayer of Agreement: When two or more people come together and agree with one another and with the Word of God that something specific will be done
Prayer of Praise and Worship: Praise and worship brings us into the presence of God.
Prayer of Thanksgiving: A prayer of appreciation for our lives and for everything in it.
Prayer of Praise and Adoration: This is prayer centered completely on God in praise of the greatness of God,
Prayer of Confession/Penitence: Asking for forgiveness for the bad things we did
Prayer of Expiation: Acknowledging our sins and asking God for forgiveness and mercy
Prayer of Love: Expressions of our love and charity/goodwill for God
Meditative/Contemplative Prayer: This is prayer that incorporates silence, chants/songs, and deep reflections on our spiritual lives and actions.
“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go.” Abraham Lincoln
“We all come to prayer with a tangled mass of motives – altruistic and selfish, merciful and hateful, loving and bitter.” Richard Foster
Nature by Provia-17 ~ via Flickr
Adoration Psalm
“I have seen You in the sanctuary,” David said,
“and beheld Your power and Your glory.
Because Your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify You.
I will praise You as long as I live,
and in Your name I will lift up my hands.” King David in Psalm 63:2-4
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven, for where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Matthew. 18:19-20
“To pray is to change. This is great grace…” Richard Foster
Mandala: Energy Prayers
When we pray, we are communicating/talking to God and our faith grows as we build a regular practice of prayer. At some point in our lives, many of us turn to prayer for comfort, confirmation or communication with the universal creator we call by different names. Others have a daily prayer life that is interwoven with everything else they do; every gesture becomes a form of prayer in action and an immediate act of great faith. For those who have embraced the discipline of building a prayerful life, there is power in the act as the commitment grows and the results include the sheer joy/satisfaction that comes from praying.
There is no doubt that as more people find their preferred form of worship and learn to respect each others faith, the journey to global peace will become a shorter one. May you and your prayers be heard in heaven. What does prayer mean to you? Do you have a preferred style/type of prayer? Share your thoughts below. Thank you!
*Foster’s 21 Forms of Prayer – Simple, Forsaken, Examen, Tears, Relinquishment, Formation, Covenant, Adoration, Rest, Sacramental, Unceasing, Heart, Meditative, Contemplative, Ordinary, Petitionary, Intercessory, Healing, Suffering, Authoritative, and Radical.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Photos ~ via Google Images & Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Two Movie Reviews: From Paris with Love and Avatar
“Let us pray that the human race never escapes from Earth to spread its iniquity elsewhere.” C. S. Lewis
AVATAR: I See You...
Love: From Paris with Love
What I love about watching movies is that, no matter the area of interest, there are endless choices and film genres to keep one stuck in a seat for quite some time. My interests run the gamut from epic romantic films, docudramas, foreign flicks, musicals, historical accounts, to comedy and action movies.
I can safely say I love almost all types of movies except – Horror Movies. I remember, years ago, when I saw The Exorcist (Linda Blair), I had nightmares for months and vowed never to watch stuff like that ever. I know… As friends often tell me, some people are able to maintain some distance from what they see on a movie screen and simply view it from its technical aspects first; storyline, camera angle, character development, script, dialogue and originality.
Others, like me, throw ourselves into the plot and swim along with the characters; dodging bullets, lame lines or humorous exchanges as they hurtle past us in the theatre. I go for the entertainment first and critique the film last. Last week, I saw and enjoyed two movies that had completely different effects on me. Last Sunday, I saw Avatar (science fiction on genetic-engineering with a spiritual bent) with my good friend Esme; it made me sad. Then on Thursday, I saw From Paris with Love (Action flick on undercover operatives) with another friend, Cass, at its New York premiere; this movie made me laugh out loud.
John Travolta and Kelly Preston at - From Paris with Love Premeire
Esme and I debated the merits of seeing Avatar in 3D and settled on the HD (High Definition) version because of the potential vertigo-inducing special effects. The cinematography was stunning, and the storyline sad yet compelling. I plan to go back to see it in 3D after all. Bring tissues and a prayerful heart to this one.
Cass and I are members of Gofobo, an online experience designed to help members see movie premieres and live celebrity events first. I love Gofobo because they give out free tickets to fantastic events with great seats and From Paris with Love was one of those premiere events attended by both the director, Pierre Morel, and the key actors; John Travolta (Pulp Fiction) and Jonathan Rhys Meyer (Bend it Like Beckham).
Jonathan Rhys Meyers ~ Peace to All at From Paris with Love.
One of the treats of our Gofobo experience was that we got to take up-close pictures of the celebs at the Ziegfeld Theater and the atmosphere was one of congeniality and goodwill. The movie was action packed, tongue-in-cheek, over the top humor, with a storyline on love, betrayal and vicious operatives. The banter between John and Jonathan is hysterical and worth the go-see. Just don’t take yourself seriously at this crazy movie.
“To sit patiently with a yearning that has not yet been fulfilled, and to trust that, that fulfillment will come, is quite possibly one of the most powerful “magic skills” that human beings are capable of. It has been noted by almost every ancient wisdom tradition.” Elizabeth Gilbert
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, as James Reese, plays the part of a low-level intelligence operative; a junior attaché to the U.S. Ambassador in France hungry for more exciting assignments. He has a doting French girlfriend, Kasia Smutniak, who makes fabulous dresses out of their bedroom curtains and shops for fabric in dodgy neighborhoods – foreshadowing the betrayal to come.
From Paris with Love
James Reese’s moment to shine comes in the shape of his new partner, John Travolta, who plays special agent Charlie Wax; a crazy foul-mouthed, head-bashing, trigger happy, senior level operative sent on a special assignment to take out a terrorist cell bent on killing the US delegation to a World Summit in Paris.
Ice T and wife, Cookie; Billy Baldwim, and others at From Paris with Love
The hi-jinks these two carry out include high speed chases, shootouts, blowups/blowouts with the usual cast of bad guys in tow. Watching Jonathan Rhys Meyers transform from a stiff, order-taking attaché to a trash talking, gun-slinging agent is pretty funny. John Travolta plays the armed agent lunatic to the hilt and even though his character’s crass ways make him an unlikely candidate for a tender heart award, he shows touches of compassion and grace at key moments in the film.
While there are some surprising transitions in the film, I won’t be giving away spoilers here, the basic premise is based on good guys battling bad guys; on par with real life, right? This is a typical action flick recipe with wiseguys, hoodlums, wisecracking lines and lots of humor tossed in. From a purely entertainment perspective, I’d say I enjoyed it thoroughly! This is worth the popcorn. In theaters on February 5, 2010.
“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” Buddha
Sam Worthington plays the role of, Jake Sully, a paraplegic ex-marine who joins a military group, sent from planet earth, on a covert mission to the distant planet – Pandora. The plan is to retrieve the precious ore found on Pandora; home to the blue-hued, spiritual, nature-worshiping, peace-loving indigenous Na’vi race.
The Na’vi are ten-foot-tall, blue-skinned aliens who earlier had welcomed the visitors from earth, but soon realized the earthlings motives were not about education and indoctrination but merely to invade their land and procure the metal under their homeland. The ensuing war led to humans growing genetically engineered Avatars; a half-alien/half-human body through which consciousness is transferred, thus; allowing a human to mingle in the Na’vi world.
Avatar: Trailer Poster of Jake and Neytiri
The protagonist,Jake Sully’s, late brother had an incredibly expensive Avatar grown for him. Jake willingly takes on both the Avatar and the undercover role of mingling with the Na’vi to find out all their strategic locations and make the earth team’s mission a success. This complex, genetically-engineered avatar/suit provides both protection against the hostilities on Pandora and an opportunity to meet and bond with the indigenous group.
During one of the earth team’s visits to Pandora, Jake (in Avatar mode) is separated from his team; Sigourney Weaver and Joel David Moore, and finds himself fighting off fierce creatures until rescued by Na’vi Princess Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). Princess Neytiri introduces him to her tribe and gradually a special bond and love grows. Soon, the earth leader, Col. Miles Quaritch, (Stephen Lang) recruits Jake for special undercover spying and this soon triggers a moral dilemma for Jake as he becomes conflicted by his love for the Na’vi and his military duties as a soldier. The final battle is a stark and painful reminder of the destruction and horror inflicted by war; the Na’vi homeland is decimated and taken by force until Jake joins them to fight back.
What makes this movie painfully close to the nerve is the fact that it mirrors the oppression we see in the world today. This is a classic case of big corporations/nations taking over, with impunity, land and minerals mined in poor, docile nations. Their onerous intentions are often couched in conciliatory language; education, aid and friendship. The movie made me sad even as the Na’vi battled to gain back their land.
The pain people speak of when watching this movie has to do with watching a planet rich in all forms of animal/plant life and beautiful vegetation destroyed, in one fell swoop, by the ugly metal teeth of industrial greed. Pandora, perhaps, is simply a codeword for the ugly pandora’s box of insatiable greed that we observe in our world as the powerful take, take and take without consideration of future outcomes.
This deeply disturbing storyline touches close to home on planet earth too. Look around the earth, observe the use and abuse of our ecosystem, the depletion of our resources, and then you’ll understand – I See You. The Na’vi survives by fighting back with Jake at their side and at great cost to life and community. In the end, they defeat the oppressors from earth; mainly because Mother Earth intervenes in the 11th hour. Will she intervene on Planet Earth? Many believe she will or perhaps she has. What do you think?
Princess Neytiri on Avatar
Mother Earth is fighting back in our world as we continue to see the impact of climatic change and reckless waste of resources. My prayer is that this movie will serve as a frightening warning of where we are all headed unless we nourish our planet and stop raping her of her resources in a greedy frenzy to make more and more consumer goods for billions of dollars in profits and earnings. What good would these trinkets serve if we have no food, water or natural reserves to sustain the body or leave something for our children and grandchildren?
This $2 billion grossing movie from James Cameron, Academy Award-winning Titanic director, is an impressive, digital 3D, sci-fi, epic movie. It uses both live-action performances and computer-generated effects to showcase a motion-capture system created for the film. The motion capture system allows the facial expressions of actors to be captured while a virtual camera system shows the actors what their computer-generated counterparts will see on film. This is definitely a case of – “I See You!”
Both movies Avatar and From Paris with Love shared something in common; the incredible violence humans inflict on everything we find objectionable; no discussion just elimination. We also see glimpses of the human spirit when compassion finds a home; albeit temporarily. Where did this violent tendency come from? Why such greed on a planet with sustainable options that can nourish all life? Can we ever find permanent peaceful solutions to conflict? Can we learn to live with each other from a place of L.O.V.E?
What are your thoughts? Do share. Thank you!
PHOTO CREDITS:
Trailer Photos for Avatar and From Paris with Love ~ via Google Images
From Paris with Love Premiere Photos from my collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Therese Martin-Fox: Alive with Great Courage
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Face of Courage: Tess in Profile
Tess ~ In a Contemplative Mood
By now, if you have followed my series of one-on-one interviews, you know that my subjects or interviewees are the fantastic folk I meet on various social networking sites. I must admit that lately, most are from Twitter which is a terrific resource. I decided to work on a series of get-to-know-you interviews in the fall of 2009 and my goal was to delve into my social media connections, share insights and stories from some of the beautiful and brilliant people I have met, and put a real face to the person behind the web page, blog image or twitter post we see.
Every participant answers the same set of questions and these remarkable people; men and women who share their creative talents and gift of communication by joining the social media community and conversation – do so in their own unique way. The process has been enlightening and I am continuing the series with another special interviewee.
Today, we meet Therese Martin-Fox, a courageous and loving mother of two, energetic earth mother and friend to many, Reiki Master healer, aspiring author and breast cancer survivor. I met Tess on Twitter and we had an instant connection. Tess’s smile, effervescent personality and energetic presence caught my attention. When she briefly shared her breast cancer story, I wanted to hear more. How did she stay so upbeat? How did she find the energy to reach out, to touch and heal so many other people? Please read her story and share your comments below.
“Remember me as a woman who made the world better by birthing and raising two incredible human beings who, in turn, will shine their light upon others.” Tess Fox
Tess and Daughter, Rachel
Tess with son, David
Foundation Questions:
Background Story: Who are you?
My earliest recollections, during the first decade of my life, were of my Mom bringing home a new baby, a new playmate, every other year. My mom was an obstetrics nurse and worked in the delivery room assisting doctors as they welcomed babies into the world. As the eldest, my mom taught me a lot about babies and how to take care of my younger siblings. My two brothers were fun, but became attached to each other as they got older. I wanted a baby sister and my Mom acquiesced by having three more daughters in a row.
One of my theories is that women should have their most nurturing child first as it really lightens the load. I was the built-in babysitter for our large brood and this is who I still am. Almost 60 years later, I find that my role as nurturer has encompassed my life. It permeates my thinking and my behavior. I am the nurturer of everyone; even of people I haven’t met or will never meet. I imagine myself as Mother Energy hugging and caring for everyone.
Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
Chicago (Chitown) has been my home for a good portion of my life. Many people have mad love for this city including my son-in-law. Yet, I have never really felt like I belonged here fully. A trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico confirmed that to me in quite a vivid way during a trip there years ago. As I was rounding the mountains from the airport into the city, a feeling of oneness with the land overcame me. The neighboring town of Taos had an even more mystical sensation for me. I’ve heard stories about knowing when you feel a deep connection to a place in the world; perhaps, I shall return to New Mexico some day.
During the years I lived in New York City, I found the cultural richness and diversity exhilarating. I felt imbued with a spirit of global expansiveness and loved the lifestyle choices the city offered; especially the freedom to choose your entertainment. Now, when I visit the Big Apple, three things I enjoy most are listening to live music, eating at ethnic restaurants and visiting local book stores. The city is a virtual utopia for my obsessions and there is never a reason to be bored. My son, David, lives in Midtown Manhattan and I plan monthly trips to visit him and enjoy the city.
My family and friends are my true home – Home is where the Heart is – and most of them, like me, live in Chicago and feel rooted here. My daughter, Rachel, and her husband, Mike, love Chicago and plan to raise a family here; we are all excited about the impending arrival of my first grandchild.
What do you do for a living?
I went to Catholic schools all my life including an all-girls catholic high school. In college, I completed a degree in Behavioral Science. It was a natural degree choice for me because I’d always been curious about behavioral patterns; different types of thinking and lifestyles.
Over the years, I also accumulated alternative degrees and the most tangible of my alternative degrees is that of Reiki Master/Teacher. This is a Japanese technique that enhances relaxation and reduces stress. Reiki allows me to become a conduit for healing. I become an open vessel for Spirit energy to enter, flow through me, and then, through my laying on of hands, interact with my client in the best possible healing way.
If you ask any Reiki Master/Teacher, you will get varied descriptions of what Reiki is. This is my method of describing what I do. What has evolved throughout my years of practice is a unique blend of psychotherapy and Reiki which has resulted into what I describe as my healing art. What my clients experience is a safe place in which to release their deepest and most intimate fears, hopes and dreams. Cathartic change occurs during my sessions with many of the clients I work with. I have been in practice for 25 years and have many satisfied clients which is an honor and a testament to how much effort I have invested into every aspect of what I do.
“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.” Alan Cohen
Tess and Best Friend, Kathy Cella… RIP Kathy
Tess’s Survival Slideshow
Why/How did you choose the path you now follow?
My Mom planted the healer seed that grew in me and in all of my siblings; we each display intensely similar philosophies. I was born in 1953 during the baby boomer years and I believe that the combination of being born during a pivotal period of change in the USA and elsewhere, and my Mom’s humanitarian heart, both had a profound impact upon my life choices and approach to the world.
I remember one evening; my mother sat us down in the living room in front of the first television in our home. She turned on the TV; it was broadcasting a show about the Holocaust and Mom said she wanted to make sure that we knew that all people deserved kindness. I remember feeling paralyzed on my couch as I watched the black and white shots of the Nazis digging mass burial graves for the Jewish concentration camp dead who were being dumped out of wheelbarrows into a deep dirt pit. The film footage was so graphic I felt quite ill. I later recognized this event as my baptism into empathy at age 7.
As an Irish-Catholic household on both sides, we had two framed portraits hanging in our home. They were not of our family but of Pope John Paul XXIII and President J.F. Kennedy. It was a shrine. In addition to these two leaders, my deepest attachments were to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Malcolm X, Dorothy Day, Fathers Daniel and Phillip Berrigan, Nelson Mandela, Bernadette Devlin, Bobby Sands, Gloria Steinem and Bobby Kennedy.
When three magnificent freedom fighters, JFK, Bobby and MLK, were gunned down, the pain in my heart was unbearable. Caught in the chaos of the civil rights struggle, the women’s liberation movement, the Vietnam War, the hippie movement and the free love/drug epidemic, it was no wonder my teenage years were confusing. Yet, my path was laid by Mom’s humanitarianism and fierce sense that injustice should not be allowed to prevail.
“Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” Winston Churchill
Tess: Peace and Prayers
When did you decide to make key changes in your life?
Four years ago, I was diagnosed with synchronous bilateral breast cancer. This means that I had cancer in each breast; apparently a very rare occurrence. During this period, I made a few key changes. The book, The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle became the resource I frequently leaned on. The philosophy of being present in every moment became my discipline.
I had seven surgeries to remove the cancer, double radiation to arrest the microscopic cells, and 4 rounds of chemotherapy to remove any cancer in all the other organs in my body. As this was an intense time, it would have been easy to have become anxiety ridden with thoughts about all the potential doom and gloom. However, with my new discipline of being fully present, I discovered that I was able to achieve internal peace.
During chemotherapy, I had a vivid vision of being around to hold my first grand-baby. This blessed vision was a huge part of what I clung to during my treatments. As a result of living with breast cancer, I’ve incorporated the Now philosophy into my routine. I view myself as an “Aliver” because I am still here and each day I have is an opportunity to touch and connect.
Share your worldview: How do you live your life and manage your household?
I have an open door policy at home and I have a sign in the front yard that says, “Mi Casa ~ Su Casa.” Suffice to say, there is a communal spirit present at my home and I suspect that some of the neighbors don’t appreciate my mini United Nations atmosphere. Spontaneity seems to suit my personality and my easygoing, free flowing lifestyle can be a challenge to some. I’ve not yet met my match or found a guy who can go with my whole flow but I’m not giving up on finding a romantic partner.
“If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream.” Martin Luther King, Jr
Tess surrounded by her Hats
Tess: Covered in Blessings
Reflective Questions:
What motivates you to get out of bed?
Everyday, when I wake up, I go into prayerful meditation and hold an intention for the day. Each day holds a surprise for me because I never know who I’m going to meet and interact with. My daughter frequently says that complete strangers tell me their deepest secrets within minutes of meeting me. This is true. Sometimes, it takes me twice as long to do anything because I engage with whoever crosses my path. It is not unusual for me to hug people if they’ve bagged my groceries, made my coffee, or danced with me.
What makes you happy?
Happiness fills me whenever I’m on the dance floor with a rhythm and blues; Motown style; live band playing. If you throw in a few bottles of Guinness and a guy who just wants to dance all night, I’ll be the last one leaving. Hanging out with my kids is another recipe for miles of smiles. I enjoy the look, feel and smell of books; if I were to get locked inside a bookstore overnight, I wouldn’t try to get out.
Film is my window to the world especially foreign films with subtitles. It’s like taking a mini-vacation.
What makes you sad?
Any kind of suffering in the world breaks my heart. I feel other people’s pain but, I cannot disengage from watching and reading everything about world events. Injustice on any level angers me. Even though I know life is not fair, when I witness any form of inequality, it enrages me. Human rights violations are particularly
offensive. Sending young men off to war makes me feel truly depressed. My nephew, Michael, is in Helmand Province, Afghanistan right now. He is 19 years old and my heart worries and hurts for him.
What would you do differently with your life if you had the power?
If I could do it over again, I would change the duration of my marriage. Even though it was evident to me during the honeymoon that I had made a mistake, I remained married for 20 years because I regarded it as a lifetime contract. In later years, I thought the family unit remaining intact was in my children’s best interest.
I’ve been divorced for 12 years and realize that I stayed too long. I allowed traditional and religious influences to pressure me into a commitment that did not contain joy. That would be my do-over if given a chance
What would you do with the world if you had the choice?
If I were Queen of the World for a day, I would institute a law that would require society to support mothers to stay home with their babies during the first five years of life so that mothers and babies could form strong bonds. My belief is that most psychological inadequacies would be averted if early, successful attachment is achieved.
“One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” Maya Angelou
Recent Shot: Rachel, Jori Stevian and Tess
Recent Shot: Tess with nephew, Michael
What guiding principles do you follow to make your life meaningful?
The constant North Star of guidance for me is to ask myself what my intent is in relation to any interaction I have. This clarifies my behavior and has helped me recognize when I might be trying to advance my own agenda in the guise of helping another. It’s a quick reality check.
What words of advice would you give to others today?
In Oprah, the magazine, there is a great segment called “What I Know For Sure.” Here is my own attempt at What I know: Speak your truth quietly but clearly; Look people in the eyes and use your ears at the same time: Give hugs whenever possible; Ask if someone wants input before volunteering it; Find your silent spot within and then make friends with it; Practice kindness with no attachment to the outcome; Be here in the NOW; Keep your ego in check and eliminate “should” from your vocabulary; finally, Give thanks for BEING.
How would you like to be remembered?
Remember me as someone who picked people over things. Remember me as a woman who made the world better by birthing and raising two incredible human beings who, in turn, will shine their light upon others. Remember me as someone who sees injustice and dreams to rectify it. Remember me as someone who held a light for you to see yourself. Lastly, remember me as someone who feels others hearts hurt and cries healing tears.
Happiness is…?
Happiness is… health care for all regardless of economic standing; no children killed in the name of war; having my family near to me and safe; when women are safe to walk anywhere without fear; every human being in a bed with a roof overhead; when all are free to speak their feelings and thoughts; protecting children from predators; praying and practicing spirituality as one sees fit; viewing art, seeing film, listening to music, and creating one’s own form of expression; ultimately, building loving attachments with people.
Therese Fox is a doting mother of two (with a grand kid on the way) who lives in Chicago happily surrounded by friends and family. She has a very successful Reiki practice and looks for ways to share her gift and give back to her community. Tess can be reached via her Twitter handle:@girlzoo. You may also connect with Tess on YouTube.
What are your thoughts on Tess’s courageous story? Do you have a similar story to share? Do share your feedback with us. Thank You!
For More: Women’s Lives & Issues
Positive Motivation Tip: Be here in the NOW; Keep your ego in check and eliminate “should” from your vocabulary; finally, Give thanks for BEING
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photographs of Tess Fox, her family and friends by courtesy of Tess Fox and Jori Stevian
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
