First thing this morning Carla wished me a happy birthday, a very fine thing. The first thought I have on hearing this is that the person who should be honored on my birthday is my mother. She is the one who carried me around for nine months while chasing after my two brothers; morning sickness, body having to accommodate a nine plus pound child growing in her, going through birth pains and a 10 p.m. delivery—a long day I am sure. Because I had been breech she had sutures and was in pain and needed help for a few weeks after from my aunt Joyce who was in school at the time. And me? I was just along for the ride throughout all of this—that is until a rude awakening of being born into this world with its brightly lit room and a welcoming slap to get the breathing started. Welcome to the new world!
I was the third of three, a few years after my brothers. When I asked my mother if I was unplanned, she said no. When I asked if she had been hoping for a girl, she said no, she was happy with whatever I was. I didn’t ever believe her about not hoping for a girl, but I think it was a justifiable lie. She had grown up an only girl, and I think she may have wondered what she ever did to deserve getting three active boys to raise. In our adulthood, two of the best days of the year for my mom was Thanksgiving and Christmas, when all her children and then grandchildren and ultimately great grandchildren were all there. Yes, she certainly deserves to be honored today.
This early morning Saturn is bright, but Venus is truly blazing on the forehead of the eastern sky. The Big Dipper stands mighty, always pointing us to the North Star for direction, and Orion’s belt and sword ever reminds me of Arjuna, faithful warrior on the spiritual battlefield. It is a brisk cold with gusty winds and the screen-monitor-sky has gradually brightened revealing a saguaro cactus forest all around and craggy peaks on either side. It is a good day to be alive.
There are two great joys in my life right now. The first is to see aspirants with both feet on the path: striving, working, loving and giving heart, mind and soul for the Divine Quest. And not just that, but showing signs of progress: skin shining, eyes glittering, bliss and love filling their cups to overflowing. It is not that everyday we must look like a front-page cover for Enlightenment Today, not when there are dark nights to be endured and heavy burdens that must be carried. But, a general trend up; what started as a spark that became a flame and is now a blazing sun of aspiration. In my soul I walk with each one God has given me; I slog through the muck, I strain at the climb, I glory in newfound vistas with each one of you. It is my greatest privilege to share in the toils, but also to stand alongside you on glorious peaks of realization. It is the best of lives, the noblest of goals, and the most fulfilling of accomplishments to go to God together.
My second great joy in life is that Mother has given me some tasks to do for her. It has been one of God’s precious jokes in life for Him to assign me the task of assembling Mother’s prodigious compilation of spoken words and making them into book form. Me, who worked harder in high school studies to get out of work than simply doing the work. Me, who spends many hours writing a posting that is read in minutes. Me, who knew more about sin than syntax in high school; this is who God assigns this work? Fine joke Ram!
Not only that, but He has me writing to you in these postings and other publications as well as working on Mother’s writings. I am reassured by God that even a broken candle can still give light. If so, it is only because of God and Gurus blessings that anything of note may be done through this form. I am also blessed with those who did pay attention in English class as part of our virtual International Headquarters of the Cross and Lotus Publishing to keep me from complete embarrassment.
So, I think I have absolutely the best job description in the world. When the timer for this body is up, my greatest wish is that God and Gurus may give even the smallest indication that they are at all pleased with the work done here in their names. It is truly a bold proclamation to say that I work for God and Gurus, but it is not without justification. Mother gave me this work, she is a product of her Master, as he was of his own Master, and I know that God has given His stamp upon my Soul, and in this I have complete assurance that “I am about my Father’s business.”
Now, it is up to me to utilize each day for His glory and to manifest His Light through all that I think, do and say. It is the greatest joy that we may go to God together; that He bless us so and that each of us fulfills the tasks He has given. In saying this as my birthday wish, I do not blow out the lighted candle, but ask that lighted souls everywhere may manifest more and more light for the One, and for all.