I am Healthy and Getting Healthier
There is a much conversation, many workshops and seminars, and volumes of books about the power of personal healing through the use of affirmations. The list of resources includes the works of Iyanla Vanzant, Acts of Faith, Louise Hay, You Can Heal Yourself, and Catherine Ponder, The Healing Secrets of the Ages, and many, many others. One of the most profound affirmations, or the form that has made a significant impact in my life and ministry, was shared through in these words:
I am healthy and getting healthier.
Several years ago, I was part of a teaching team at the Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development. My teaching partner, Rev. Deanna Mathias, spoke those words of guidance and support to a student who was dealing with a physical health issue.
Powerful affirmations are rooted in the understanding that: energy goes to where the attention is.
If your affirmation is that you don’t want to be sick, your consciousness or attention is on being sick. If your affirmation or prayer is for money to pay the bills, your attention is actually on the bills. Therefore, the energy is directed at being sick or the bills. However, if your prayer or affirmation is on being healthy, your attention is on being healthy.
The affirmation, “I am healthy and getting healthier,” is on the state of being healthy.
The affirmation “I am healthy and getting healthier” has two components worth expounding. The first component “I am healthy,” represents the divine consciousness; the awareness of the divine state of being that is at our core and is our core. We, through our human experience, sometimes or most times, forgot that at our core is the divine state of being. In this case is it being healthy.
The second component, “and getting healthier” represents our journey to full remembrance or full realization of the divine state of being. Our life journey is our human state of being moving towards the divine, a reconnection to the divine and sacred.
Therefore, the affirmation, “I am healthy and getting healthier” states that “I recognize my divine state as being healthy, and my human experience is to walk the road of getting healthier, such that my human consciousness aligns with divine consciousness.”
I am healthy, and getting healthier.
I am abundance, and experiencing increase.
I am joy, and experiencing and expressing more joy.
I am strong, and realizing my strength and getting stronger each day.
I am reminded of a prayer I wrote several months ago:
Beloved,
I thank you for praying for me.
However;
Don’t pray for my healing; pray that I realize I am healthy and getting healthier.
Don’t pray for my abundance; pray that I realize I am abundant and receiving more.
Don’t pray for my salvation; pray that I realize my Oneness with Spirit and that my awareness grows deeper with each breath.
Don’t pray for me to get a job; pray that I will my will to align with Thy will of the Universe and that I call forth the courage to follow Thy will.
Don’t pray for me to find my soul mate and one true love; pray that I realize I am love and that I remember that love attracts love.
Don’t pray for me to rise above my situation and circumstances; pray that I realize I have the power to choose.
Don’t pray for me to find God; pray that I know Spirit is closer than my breath.
Don’t pray for me to put away feelings of sadness, hopelessness and depression; pray that I realize the joy that is my heart, and that I experience that joy with each beat of my heart.
Beloved, pray that I realize the Indwelling Spirit and that God Is; and that Love Is and that I am love …as I pray for you in kind.
“I am healthy and getting healthier” is a reminder of the divine with us and a response to the call to realign with the divine.
When I was released from the hospital several years ago, people would always ask, “how are you doing?” I created my own answer that also serves as my affirmation: I am good; and getting gooder. For those whose first response is “gooder is not a word,” do not understand that through this statement I am affirming the goodness of the Divine and re-aligning myself with that goodness.
I share this with you in joy and with love,
Rev. Anthony Farmer, OUnI, CMH
Copyright © 2012 Anthony L. Farmer All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Flowing tears, tears flowing
Flowing tears, tears flowing
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are your tears; tears of joy, tears of pain, tears of frustration, tears of elation.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are yours from yesterday; remembering times gone by, good times and bad times, happy times and sad times.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are not for you; tears of compassion for a friend, tears of sympathy for family, tears of empathy for the ones you do not know.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are tears from the past; tears that grandma forgot to cry, tears that auntie’s dried-up eyes could no longer make, tears that grandpa refused to show, tears that your ancestors were afraid to let go.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are tears for the future; tears of despair, tears of anticipation, tears of hope.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are flowing from you; and sometimes the tears are flowing through you.
All times the tears flowing down your face remind you of your humanity, and your connectedness to life.
Rev. Anthony Farmer
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are your tears; tears of joy, tears of pain, tears of frustration, tears of elation.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are yours from yesterday; remembering times gone by, good times and bad times, happy times and sad times.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are not for you; tears of compassion for a friend, tears of sympathy for family, tears of empathy for the ones you do not know.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are tears from the past; tears that grandma forgot to cry, tears that auntie’s dried-up eyes could no longer make, tears that grandpa refused to show, tears that your ancestors were afraid to let go.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are tears for the future; tears of despair, tears of anticipation, tears of hope.
Sometimes the tears flowing down your face are flowing from you; and sometimes the tears are flowing through you.
All times the tears flowing down your face remind you of your humanity, and your connectedness to life.
Rev. Anthony Farmer
Conversations with the Elders ~ Book of Instructions
Book of Instructions
January 10, 2012
“Come see us today.” I received this message during meditation this morning. I don’t know which Elder spoke these words, or if it was a collective voice of all of them.
“I will,” was my reply.
Before journeying to the Elders, I remember that a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk flew into the backyard this morning. I have come to know that when a Red-shouldered Hawk appears, Grandfather is calling me to visit. I sensed that he would be with the Elders today.
I journey to the Elders. I reach the front porch of the Elders’ cabin. For a moment, I stop, turn around and admire the view from here at the Elders’ cabin. Today, the sky is clear, the sun is shining bright, and the air is calm and fresh. And my heart is smiling. I turn, reach for the door handle, press to open the door and walk inside.
Yes, they are waiting for me at the table: the Elder of Water, the Elder of Air, the Elder of Fire, the Elder of Earth, and Grandfather. There is one chair left that I assume is for me.
“Yes, it is for you. Now come and sit,” says the Elder of Air. “See you brought the rain with you.”
I join them at the table, but with a puzzled looked, “did he say I brought the rain with me?” It was sunny and bright outside, not a cloud in the sky when I arrived.
Once I reach the table, which is next to the windows at the back of the cabin, I see a different view of the outside. It is raining. The heavy, dark gray rain clouds cover the sky. There is no sun. The smile of my heart is being replaced with an emotion yet to be expressed.
The Elder of Air repeats, “Come. Sit.” I now sit in the chair saved for me.
“Let’s join hands in silence,” says the Elder of Fire
The Elder of Earth takes my left hand, and Grandfather takes my right. I take nobody’s hand because I am still wondering about “front porch sunny and bright, back yard raining and gray.”
The Elder of Fire, directly at me, gently orders, “In silence.” I know she means inner and outer silence. I inhale and exhale, letting go of the thought.
After a few moments, which truly cannot be measured, we all inhale and exhale together. This signals that the prayer is complete.
The Elder of Earth places his right hand on my back and says, “A new you in the new year, which began on your new year’s [day], the anniversary of the day you arrived on Earth. All steps taken from that first breath led you here. We have watched you, watched every step, heard every breath of your journey. [It has been] A journey, just like everyone else—and, unlike anyone else. All steps were in preparation for the next step, this next step.”
I hear a pause in his voice. I feel a pause in the air, as if someone else is about to say something. I listen and wait.
The Elder of Water presents a book and places it on the table. I look at the book and look around the table, waiting for someone to present an explanation. I am trying not to guess.
Grandfather says, “Yes, a book. Yes, you have received many books over the years; books of ancient wisdoms, blank books that you are to fill the pages, books of recipes.” He smiles after saying recipes, and then he continues.
“However this book is your instruction manual, per se. Everyone comes with a purpose for being. And every purpose comes with an instruction manual, the Book of Instructions. When the person is ready, the instruction manual is revealed to them.”
I hear a pause in his voice, another pause. Someone else is about to share, or answer the question that is rising within me.
“Yes,” the Elder of Fire states, “everyone has a purpose and an instruction manual. And it is located in the same place within everyone. A clue—do not look for a book. Do not look for an instruction manual, for you will not see it. Another clue—you must be ready to be your purpose. Only then will the instruction manual reveal itself in the form that is in alignment with the purpose.”
The Elder of Water takes a white cloth and ceremonially wipes the cover of the book, not to clean it but to bless it. Then she declares, “You are not to figure this out before it is time. You are to ready yourself by saying yes to your purpose, saying yes to living your purpose, saying yes to being your purpose and asking for all that you need to do so and be so. It is just that simple, and yet it may not be as easy.”
She hands me the book. The book has a title written on the front cover. However, I focus on what is written at the bottom of the front cover: Reverend Anthony L. Farmer
I read it. I tremble. I sense the smile of my heart returns. I tremble again.
“Yes,” the Elder of Fire responds to my unspoken request, “there is apple pie afterwards.”
As we all rise up from the table, I turn to look outside. The rain is over; the sun is shining, and the sky is clear and blue.
Grandfather says, “Remember, guide them to their Book of Instructions, when they are ready.”
Copyright © 2008-2012 Anthony L. Farmer All Rights Reserved
Conversations with the Elders is a weekly “e-newsletter" that shares my experiences and conversations with the Elders, as I call them. We meet on the front porch of a log cabin high in the mountains. They share their wisdoms, life experiences, perspectives, stories, and love. I listen, learn and share.
Please feel free to forward to others! If you receive this from a friend and would like to receive Conversations with the Elders, sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/conversationswiththeelders/
"...listening to our elders is one of the most important things we can do. I've learned a lot and have had good teachers. You always learn a lot from your elders - its important to sit and listen to them."
Herman “TJ” Laffoon
Reverend Anthony Farmer
www.revanthonyfarmer.com
January 10, 2012
“Come see us today.” I received this message during meditation this morning. I don’t know which Elder spoke these words, or if it was a collective voice of all of them.
“I will,” was my reply.
Before journeying to the Elders, I remember that a juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk flew into the backyard this morning. I have come to know that when a Red-shouldered Hawk appears, Grandfather is calling me to visit. I sensed that he would be with the Elders today.
I journey to the Elders. I reach the front porch of the Elders’ cabin. For a moment, I stop, turn around and admire the view from here at the Elders’ cabin. Today, the sky is clear, the sun is shining bright, and the air is calm and fresh. And my heart is smiling. I turn, reach for the door handle, press to open the door and walk inside.
Yes, they are waiting for me at the table: the Elder of Water, the Elder of Air, the Elder of Fire, the Elder of Earth, and Grandfather. There is one chair left that I assume is for me.
“Yes, it is for you. Now come and sit,” says the Elder of Air. “See you brought the rain with you.”
I join them at the table, but with a puzzled looked, “did he say I brought the rain with me?” It was sunny and bright outside, not a cloud in the sky when I arrived.
Once I reach the table, which is next to the windows at the back of the cabin, I see a different view of the outside. It is raining. The heavy, dark gray rain clouds cover the sky. There is no sun. The smile of my heart is being replaced with an emotion yet to be expressed.
The Elder of Air repeats, “Come. Sit.” I now sit in the chair saved for me.
“Let’s join hands in silence,” says the Elder of Fire
The Elder of Earth takes my left hand, and Grandfather takes my right. I take nobody’s hand because I am still wondering about “front porch sunny and bright, back yard raining and gray.”
The Elder of Fire, directly at me, gently orders, “In silence.” I know she means inner and outer silence. I inhale and exhale, letting go of the thought.
After a few moments, which truly cannot be measured, we all inhale and exhale together. This signals that the prayer is complete.
The Elder of Earth places his right hand on my back and says, “A new you in the new year, which began on your new year’s [day], the anniversary of the day you arrived on Earth. All steps taken from that first breath led you here. We have watched you, watched every step, heard every breath of your journey. [It has been] A journey, just like everyone else—and, unlike anyone else. All steps were in preparation for the next step, this next step.”
I hear a pause in his voice. I feel a pause in the air, as if someone else is about to say something. I listen and wait.
The Elder of Water presents a book and places it on the table. I look at the book and look around the table, waiting for someone to present an explanation. I am trying not to guess.
Grandfather says, “Yes, a book. Yes, you have received many books over the years; books of ancient wisdoms, blank books that you are to fill the pages, books of recipes.” He smiles after saying recipes, and then he continues.
“However this book is your instruction manual, per se. Everyone comes with a purpose for being. And every purpose comes with an instruction manual, the Book of Instructions. When the person is ready, the instruction manual is revealed to them.”
I hear a pause in his voice, another pause. Someone else is about to share, or answer the question that is rising within me.
“Yes,” the Elder of Fire states, “everyone has a purpose and an instruction manual. And it is located in the same place within everyone. A clue—do not look for a book. Do not look for an instruction manual, for you will not see it. Another clue—you must be ready to be your purpose. Only then will the instruction manual reveal itself in the form that is in alignment with the purpose.”
The Elder of Water takes a white cloth and ceremonially wipes the cover of the book, not to clean it but to bless it. Then she declares, “You are not to figure this out before it is time. You are to ready yourself by saying yes to your purpose, saying yes to living your purpose, saying yes to being your purpose and asking for all that you need to do so and be so. It is just that simple, and yet it may not be as easy.”
She hands me the book. The book has a title written on the front cover. However, I focus on what is written at the bottom of the front cover: Reverend Anthony L. Farmer
I read it. I tremble. I sense the smile of my heart returns. I tremble again.
“Yes,” the Elder of Fire responds to my unspoken request, “there is apple pie afterwards.”
As we all rise up from the table, I turn to look outside. The rain is over; the sun is shining, and the sky is clear and blue.
Grandfather says, “Remember, guide them to their Book of Instructions, when they are ready.”
Copyright © 2008-2012 Anthony L. Farmer All Rights Reserved
Conversations with the Elders is a weekly “e-newsletter" that shares my experiences and conversations with the Elders, as I call them. We meet on the front porch of a log cabin high in the mountains. They share their wisdoms, life experiences, perspectives, stories, and love. I listen, learn and share.
Please feel free to forward to others! If you receive this from a friend and would like to receive Conversations with the Elders, sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/conversationswiththeelders/
"...listening to our elders is one of the most important things we can do. I've learned a lot and have had good teachers. You always learn a lot from your elders - its important to sit and listen to them."
Herman “TJ” Laffoon
Reverend Anthony Farmer
www.revanthonyfarmer.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)