DAY 4, SNV: "GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT"

Gifts Of The Spirit (Janis Kelly @2006)

Love, joy and peace;
Patience, kindness and generosity;
Faithfulness and gentleness;
And self-control.
These are the gifts the Spirit brings;
These are the gifts the Spirit brings.

Listen @ http://worldpeaceassociation.ning.com/music/playlist/edit?id=2658430%3APlaylist%3A1787&trackCountChange=1

DAY 2, SNV: "PEACE BEGINS WITH ME"

Peace Begins With Me (Janis Kelly @ 2007)

Peace--deep peace;
Peace begins with me!
Peace--deep peace;
Peace begins with me!
(With me!)

Love--true love;
Love begins with me!
Love--true love;
Love begins with me!
(With me!)

Joy--pure joy;
Joy begins with me!
Joy--pure joy;
Joy begins with me!
(With me!)

Peace--deep peace;
Peace begins with me!
Peace--deep peace;
Peace begins with me!
(With me!)

DAY 1, SNV: "MAY I USE WORDS OF LOVE"

May I Use Words Of Love (Janis Kelly, @ 2007)

May I use words of love and light and healing;
May they reflect the oneness of all life;
May they express the joy and wonder of my heart’s own path;
And may they build a bridge of peace, that reaches ‘round the world.

May I be guided by compassion in my speaking;
May I be generous and brave and true;
May I maintain integrity in all I say and do;
And may I build a bridge of peace, that reaches ‘round the world.

Let my voice—be a blessing; to all who are yearning
For hope and for comfort and for strength!

May I stand for dignity and honor;
May I accept my neighbor as myself;
May I choose to recognize the sacredness of Now;
And may I build a bridge of peace, that reaches ‘round the world.

OCTOBER 22, 2009: "MY CUP OVERFLOWS"

MY CUP OVERFLOWS (Janis Kelly @2009)

I wanna live a life that's filled with grace;
Just like the lilies that grow in the field;
I want to move through my days in rhythm;
With all that I yield.
I want to float on a sea of tranquility;
Embracing my perfect divinity;
And recognizing the deepest of truths:
That all my good comes from God!

And so I give and I give, from the depths of my soul;
To the bottom of my heart;
I give of my time, I give my treasure, I give my love!
Yes I give and I give, from the depths of my soul
To the bottom of my heart;
And the more that I give, the more my cup overflows!

I used to think that struggle was natural to life;
Just like the storm clouds and just like the rain;
I used to think I'd grow through the hardships;
And that I'd weather the pain.
But that was before I surrendered to grace;
And its tender mercy soon gave me the space;
To recognize what I knew all along:
That only good comes from God!

And so I give and I give, from the depths of my soul;
To the bottom of my heart;
I give of my time, I give my treasure, I give my love!
Yes I give and I give, from the depths of my soul;
To the bottom of my heart;
And the more that I give, the more my cup--

And so I give and I give, from the depths of my soul;
To the bottom of my heart;
I give of my time, I give my treasure, I give my love!
Yes I give and I give, from the depths of my soul;
To the bottom of my heart;
And the more that I give--
Yes, the more that I give, yeah!
'Said the more that I give, the more my cup--
My cup overflows!

AUGUST 3, 2009: "THE GOLDEN KEY"

Greetings, family! Today is Monday, August 3, 2009 and I want to share a powerful spiritual concept with you. According to Emmet Fox, the renowned teacher and author, here is the secret to moving beyond ANY difficulty:

The Golden Key (by Emmet Fox)

Scientific prayer will enable you to get yourself or anyone else, out of any difficulty. It is the golden key to harmony and happiness.

To those who have no acquaintance with the mightiest power in existence, this may appear to be a rash claim, but it needs only a fair trial to prove that, without a shadow of doubt, it is a just one. You need take no one's word for it, and you should not. Simply try it for yourself.

God is omnipotent, and we are God's image and likeness and have dominion over all things. This is the inspired teaching, and it is intended to be taken literally, at its face value. The ability to draw on this power is not the special prerogative of the mystic or the saint, as is so often supposed, or even of the highly trained practitioner. Everyone has this ability Whoever you are, wherever you may be, the golden key to harmony is in your hand now. This is because in scientific prayer it is God who works, and not you, and so your particular limitations or weaknesses are of no account in the process. You are only the channel through which the divine action takes place, and your treatment will be just the getting of yourself out of the way.

Beginners often get startling results the first time, for all that is essential is to have an open mind and sufficient faith to try the experiment. Apart from that, you may hold any views on religion, or none.

As for the actual method of working, like all fundamental things, it is simplicity itself. All you have to do is this: Stop thinking about the difficulty, whatever it is, and think about God instead. This is the complete rule, and if only you will do this, the trouble, whatever it is, will disappear. It makes no difference what kind of trouble it is. It may be a big thing or a little thing: it may concern health, finance, a lawsuit, a quarrel, an accident, or anything else conceivable: but whatever it is, stop thinking about it and think of God instead--that is all you have to do.

It could not be simpler, could it? God could scarcely have made it simpler, and yet it never fails to work when given a fair trial.

Do not try to form a picture of God, which is impossible. Work by rehearsing anything or everything that you know about God. God is wisdom, truth, inconceivable love. God is present everywhere, has infinite power, knows everything, and so on. It matters not how well you may think you understand these things: go over them repeatedly.

But you must stop thinking of the trouble, whatever it is. The rule is, to think about God. If you are thinking about your difficulty, you are not thinking about God. To be continually glancing over your shoulder in order to see how matters are progressing is fatal, because it is thinking of the trouble, and you must think of God and nothing else. Your object is to drive the thought of the difficulty out of your consciousness, for a few moments at least, substituting for it the thought of God. This is the crux of the whole thing. If you can become so absorbed in this consideration of the spiritual world that you forget for a while about the difficulty, you will find that you are safely and comfortably out of your difficulty--that your demonstration is made.

In order to "golden key" a troublesome person or a difficult situation, think. "Now 1 am going to 'golden key' John, or Mary. or that threatened danger": then proceed to drive all thought of John, or Mary, or the danger out of your mind, replacing it with the thought of God.

By working in this way about a person, you are not seeking to influence his conduct in any way, except that you prevent him from injuring or annoying you, and you do him nothing but good. Thereafter, he is certain to be in some degree a better, wiser, and more spiritual person, just because you have "golden keyed" him. A pending lawsuit or other difficulty would probably fade out harmlessly without coming to a crisis, justice being done to all parties concerned.

If you find that you can do this very quickly, you may repeat the operation several times a day with intervals between. Be sure, however, each time you have done it, that you drop all thought of the matter until the next time. This is important.

We have said that the golden key is simple, and so it is, but of course it is not always easy to turn. If you are very frightened or worried, at first it may be difficult to get your thoughts away from material things. But by constantly repeating a statement of absolute Truth, such as: There is no power but God: I am the child of God, filled and surrounded by the perfect peace of God: God is love; God is guiding me now; or, perhaps best and simplest of all. God is with me--however mechanical or trite it may seem -- you will soon find that the treatment has begun to "take." and that your mind is clearing. Do not struggle violently; be quiet, but insistent. Each time you find your attention wandering, switch it back to God.

Do not try to think in advance what the solution to your difficulty will be. This is called "outlining" and will only delay the demonstration. Leave the question of ways and means to God. You want to get out of your difficulty that is sufficient. You do your half, and God will never fail to do God's.

"Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21).

Pretty awesome, no?! Being the prolific composer (and incessant singer) I am, I decided to turn my Truth statement into a chant, in the style of a spiritual:

Nothing But God (Janis Kelly @2009)

There is: nothing but God;
There is: nothing but God;
There is: nothing but God,
I know: God is all there is!

(There is: nothing but good...; ...peace; ...love; ...truth; etc.)

Remember, today, that YOU ARE GOLDEN!

In Harmony, Unity, Peace & Love,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 61 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "PEACE"

Greetings, family!

Today is Tuesday, March 31, DAY 61 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is PEACE.

“Practice watering seeds of joy and peace and not just seeds of anger and violence, and the elements of war in all of us will be transformed,” says Thich Nhat Hanh. You water seeds of anger and violence by deciding to stay angry and act violently.  You water seeds of joy and peace by deciding to be peaceful, no matter what is happening to you.  Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart, and then respond in a nonviolent way.

"Mankind must remember that peace is not God's gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other." -Elie Wiesel


Today: I choose to meet each experience with an intention for peace. I will be aware of any feelings of anger or irritation and replace the feeling with calm. I envision any areas of unrest transformed into safe havens for all people. I see beyond conflict and discord to the truth: peace is everywhere present and active.

I Am Calm, I Am At Peace (Janis Kelly @2007)

I am calm, I am at peace;
I am filled with perfect love;
I am present to the Light within;
I am calm, I am at peace.

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 56 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "SELF-SUFFICIENCY"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, March 26, DAY 56 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

People need the dignity of work and the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Economic self-sufficiency is a requirement for a nonviolent world.

"Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency."
-"Mahatma" Gandhi


For Gandhi, economic self-sufficiency - symbolized by the spinning wheel - was a vital element of independence from colonial rule and from oppressive economic conditions.

Today: I will discover the satisfaction of making something for myself instead of buying something - and from spending time in self-sufficient quiet reflection or meditation. If I know someone who is looking for employment, I will offer to assist them with a resume, an application, making phone calls, or practice interviewing.

WHOLE, PERFECT, STRONG (Janis Kelly @2009)

I am: whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
Whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
I am: whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
This is the undisputed truth of who I am!

You are: whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
Whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
You are: whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
This is the undisputed truth of who you are!

We are: whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
Whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
We are: whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy;
This is the undisputed truth of who we are!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 55 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "RESPONSIBILITY"

Greetings, family!

Today Wednesday, March 25, DAY 55 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is RESPONSIBILITY.

The quality of your community starts with you. Take responsibility wherever you are. Whatever we are today is the result of what we have thought, spoken, and done in all the previous moments before now. The responsibility for both present and future is in our own hands. If we live right today, then tomorrow will be right. This applies to our physical, emotional and spiritual life; we each have the ultimate responsibility for our choices.

Today: I will pick up trash that is not my own, whether at home, at the office or on the street. If there is a conflict present in my life, I will take responsibility for my part in the conflict.

WHOM SHALL I CALL MY NEIGHBOR? (Janis Kelly @2007)

Whom shall I call my neighbor?
Whom shall I call my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
Whom shall I call my neighbor?
Whom shall I call my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
Whom shall I call my neighbor?
And the Lord answered me,
"He's everyone you know!"

Where shall I find my neighbor?
Where shall I find my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
Where shall I find my neighbor?
Where shall I find my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
Where shall I find my neighbor?
And the Lord answered me,
"She's everywhere you go!"

When shall I help my neighbor?
When shall I help my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
When shall I help my neighbor?
When shall I help my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
When shall I help my neighbor?
And the Lord answered me,
"You help him all the time!"

How do I help my neighbor?
How do I help my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
How do I help my neighbor?
How do I help my neighbor--I asked the Lord,
How do I help my neighbor?
And the Lord answered me,
"You treat her as yourself!"

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www-janis-kelly.com

DAYS 51-53 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "ADVOCACY," "EQUALITY," "ACTION"

Greetings, family!

Today is Monday, March 23, and I will be posting for days 51-53 of the Season For Nonviolence today, on the following topics: ADVOCACY, EQUALITY and ACTION.

DAY 51 Mar. 21: The thought for today is ADVOCACY. “When someone stands up to violence” says Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, “a force for change is released. Every action for peace requires someone to exhibit the courage to challenge violence and inspire love.” Thich Nhat Hanh's life is about nonviolence, and ours can be too.

When we choose to be an advocate for nonviolence and decide right now that we will be the one to stop the violence, we release peace into the world.


Today: I will be an ally. Without blaming or judging others, I will listen from my heart, and speak out with love for those who are disrespected, abused or not listened to. I will find out how I can be an advocate in current conflicts, such as in The Sudan.

DAY 52 Mar. 22: The thought for today is EQUALITY. Have you ever noticed the groups of people who are under-represented in your activities and lifestyle? The Constitution of the United States says that all people are equal, and all people have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Do you think everyone in our community is treated equally?  If not, what can you do to change this?

"Unless man is committed to the belief that all mankind are his brothers, then he labors in vain and hypocritically in the vineyards of equality." -Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.


When you recognize as your equals those with whom you disagree, true opportunities for dialogue emerge - opportunities that are denied when you think of yourself as better than, or less than, others. Martin Buber wrote about the "I-Thou" connection, the ultimate equality, and the place from which nonviolence originates.

Today: I will be mindful of ways that I see myself as better than others. When I listen to people today, I will listen to them as equals; when I speak, I will speak to others as equals. I will enrich my life by considering how I can invite different people and unusual experiences into my life today.

DAY 53 Mar. 23: The thought for today is ACTION. “Each of us can work to change a small portion of events and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation” said Robert Kennedy. Imagine what actions Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy would be taking if they were among us today.


Truly nonviolent action is centered in love and compassion. Actions speak louder than words, it is said, yet it is not so much loudness as clarity and truth that matters; a gentle action can be far more powerful than a forceful one. So, too, the smallest actions - those closest to home - can be more meaningful than those expressed from a distance.

Today: I will explore actions from the heart I can take today to express my commitment to peace and nonviolence - in both my personal life and in the public domain. I will find a way to make one small change that will contribute to the well being of my home, school, workplace or community.

May You Know Light (Janis Kelly @2007)

I'm praying for my brothers,
everywhere around the world;
I'm praying for my sisters,
that their voices might be heard;
I'm praying for the children,
that hope always lights their way;
I'm praying for the elders,
that they're blessed by each new day.

May you know love, may you know light,
may you know Peace-on-Earth;
May you know courage, beauty,
grace and power;
May you know strength, may you know joy,
may you know mercy all your days;
May you know blessings without end.

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 50 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "CHOICE"

Greetings, family!

Today is Friday, March 20, DAY 50 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is CHOICE.

Be aware of any jokes or remarks that show disrespect toward ethnic groups, women or men, classes of people, religious groups, gays or lesbians. By being considerate of every person's dignity and by choosing not to participate in disrespectful communication, I am contributing to a nonviolent society.

"The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny - it is the light that guides your way." -Heraclitus

Do you think the statement “We always have a choice” is true?  Do you ever think that you don’t have a choice?  Do you ever think you must be violent?  Can you always choose nonviolence?

Today: I will write about the choices I face throughout the day and on how they translate my commitment to nonviolence into my thoughts, words and actions.


LOVE TAKES OVER ME (Janis Kelly @ 2006)

When I’m all alone without a friend in sight
No one but myself to tell me I’m alright
I stop—‘cause I’ve seen this all before
I find my special place where no one goes but me
I turn within myself and set my spirit free
And smile—‘cause I’m lonely never more (never more)

When I want the world to stop, the skies to fall
The rains to come, and flood my soul
I think of you, and love takes over me!

I’ve searched for all my life to find a sense of peace
Plagued by doubts and fears I thought would never cease
I cried—‘cause I longed so to be free
But then one day I stopped to hear a still, small voice
And it reminded me, I always have the choice
You said—that it’s all inside of me (in me)

When I want the world to stop, the skies to fall
The rains to come, and flood my soul
I think of you, and love takes over me!

(Love takes over me…)
Love, you picked me up, and you turned me ‘round
(Love takes over me…)
You helped me plant my feet, on solid ground
(Love takes over me…)
Now everything I do, or say, or be
(Love takes over me…)
Is truly a reflection, of your love inside of me!

Your love has touched my soul, it’s opened up my heart
It’s healed the places where I once was torn apart
I know—‘cause I’ve changed in every way
But there are still those times when I forget what’s true
I feel such pain inside I don’t know what to do
I say—“give me strength for just this day!”

When I want the world to stop, the skies to fall
The rains to come, and flood my soul
I think of you, and love takes over me!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 44 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "COOPERATION"

Greetings, family!

Today is Saturday, March 14, DAY 44 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is COOPERATION.

When we work together, we are stronger than when we work alone. When we find ways that we can cooperate more effectively with the people in our family or workplace, school or community, we are tearing down walls of separation; we are contributing to a nonviolent culture.

Today: Find a very heavy object.  Try to pick it up by yourself.  Now ask 3 or 4 other people to assist.  How did working together with other people help make this task easier for you?


FAMILY OF LOVE (Janis Kelly @ 2007)

You are strong, you are steadfast, you are loved;
You are kind, you are confident, you are loved;
You are wise, you are wonderful, you are loved;
You are pure, you are powerful;
And you are part--

Of the family of Love! Of the family of Love! Of the family of Love! Of the family of Love!

Family of Love, family of Love;
We all belong to the family of Love.
Family of Love, family of Love;
We all belong to the family of Love...

I am so glad;
I’ve been touched by Love’s own hand.
I’ve been cleansed by Love’s spirit;
Healed by Its light.

I am so glad;
I am part of Love's great plan.
To unite all God's children;
To live as one.

(Well I may not know)
What my tomorrow brings
(But I know it’s finally time)
To heed the call
(Time to love your neighbor)
Just as you love yourself
(And to recognize that God--)
Made us all!

We’re the family of Love! We’re the family of Love! We're the family of Love! We're the family of Love!

Family of Love, family of Love;
We all belong to the family of Love!
Family of Love, family of Love;
We all belong to the family of Love--

The family of Love!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 40 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "UNITY"

Greetings, family!

Today is Tuesday, March 10, DAY 40 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is UNITY.

Differences give variety to life and are often only on the surface. Most communities are made of diverse groups of people who have different opinions, who look different, and who speak many different languages.   Our challenge is to see beyond outer differences in opinions and appearances and find a meeting point of underlying unity that exists in diversity. There is peace and nonviolence in unity as we recognize who we are in others, a transformation from separateness to unity.


Today: I will look for three ways to see beyond outer differences in opinions, appearances, or goals. I will seek out someone who looks different from me; looking beyond these outer differences I will see the unity which is inside and journal about what I have discovered.

A CALL TO UNITY (Janis Kelly @2009)

We are more the same than different;
We are more alike than not;
We are more connected than we may realize;
For we are children of the Light!

We can live in Unity!
We can live in Peacefulness!
We can live in Harmony!
And we can live in Love!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 36 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "MINDFULNESS"

Greetings, family!

Today is Friday, March 6, Day 36 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is MINDFULNESS.

Mindfulness is thinking about what you’re doing and knowing why you’re doing it.  If we just act in each moment with composure and mindfulness, each minute of our life is a work of art. Be aware of the motivation behind your action, the intention behind your words and the needs and experiences of other people. By doing so, you are making life more beautiful and you are more likely to make nonviolent choices.

"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." -Thich Nhat Hanh


Today: Choose something simple to do, such as eating a piece of fruit.  Bringing my complete attention to it, I will not allow myself to talk to anyone or think of anything else except what I'm doing.  Notice what my hands do, the way the food feels in my mouth, the taste, the texture, the idea of nourishing my body.  Is this different from the way I normally eat?  I will practice being mindful in everything I do today.


Infinite Well Of Love (Janis Kelly @ 2007)
(inspired by Louise Hay)

Deep at the center of my being, there is an infinite well of love;

I now allow this love to surface, to fill the me that lives above;

I send it out in all directions, and it returns to me ten-fold;

The more I use the more I have to give, ‘til it is more than I can hold.

Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah! Allelujah!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 34 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "LOVE"

Greetings, family!

Today is Wednesday, March 4, DAY 34 of the Season For Nonviolence. The thought for today is LOVE.

Gandhi wrote, “nonviolence is based on the assumption that human nature ... unfailingly responds to the advances of love.”

All the great texts encourage us to "love your enemy." The ancients understood that this is where the creative energy comes from. An enemy does not have to be life-threatening or violent; an enemy can just be a thought that gets us to look at something in a different way. Consider the power of befriending someone you previously thought was an "enemy". In a conflict, rather than putting your energy toward winning, see what channeling that energy toward a loving, nonviolent solution can accomplish.

Today: I will focus on what I can find to love in the person I like the least. As I meet people during the day, I will reflect on how love can enhance the relationship.

GO AHEAD & LOVE YOURSELF (Janis Kelly @2007)

Today, today’s a very special day;
A day to practice showing thanks;
For what you have and what you are!

Today, you’ll waste no time on feeling sad;
Or anything that’s less than wonderful;
‘Cause you’re a perfect child of God!

And you deserve to have your dreams come true;
And you are safe, to say what’s real for you;
And you are recognized for what your presence brings the world!

So go ahead and love yourself;
Go ahead and trust yourself;
Go ahead and revel in the beauty of your soul!
Go ahead and find yourself;
Go ahead and free yourself;
Go ahead and celebrate your life--
The wonder of your life!

Today, you’ve got the whole world in your hands;
And it’s just waiting to be touched;
By your extraordinary light!

Today, you can let Spirit shine through you;
You can spread joy and peace and happiness;
To everybody, everywhere!

And you deserve to have your dreams come true;
And you are safe, to say what’s real for you;
And you are recognized for what your presence brings the world!

So go ahead and love yourself;
Go ahead and trust yourself;
Go ahead and revel in the beauty of your soul!
Go ahead and find yourself;
Go ahead and free yourself;
Go ahead and celebrate your life--the wonder of your life!

Celebrate love! Celebrate truth! Celebrate peace! It's up to you!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 20 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "SELF-FORGIVENESS"

Greetings, family!

Today is Wednesday, February 18, and our word for today is, "Self-Forgiveness."

When I judge myself, I tend to believe that who I am is what I have done or not done, what I have or do not have. I know that who I am is greater than all these things. I am greater than any mistake I have ever made. When we get even the slightest glimpse of the unity of life, we realize that sitting in judgment of other people and countries and races trains our minds to sit in judgment of ourselves. As I forgive others, I am teaching my mind to respond with forgiveness everywhere, even to the misdeeds and mistakes of my own past. Practicing self-forgiveness is a foundation for practicing nonviolence.

Today's recommended activity: I will write an apology letter to myself for anything I have done to myself that I wish I had not, or any way in which I have disappointed myself by not fully living up to my potential. I will mail the letter to myself and, when it arrives, I will read it in a quiet place.

FREE CHILD OF GOD (Janis Kelly @2006)

I LIVE AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I LIVE AND A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I AM FREE FROM MY PAST, I AM FREE AT LAST,
I LIVE AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD

I THINK AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I THINK AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I AM FREE IN MY MIND, I AM FREE FOR ALL TIME;
I THINK AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD

I SPEAK AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I SPEAK AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I AM FREE WITH MY WORDS, I AM FREE TO BE HEARD,
I SPEAK AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD

OH, FREEDOM! OH, FREEDOM!
OH, FREEDOM! OH, FREEDOM!
OH, FREEDOM! OH, FREEDOM!
OH, FREEDOM—I AM FREE!

I BREATHE AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I BREATHE AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD;
I AM FREE TO EXPAND, I AM SAFE IN GOD’S HANDS,
I BREATHE AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD!
I THINK AS A FREE CHILD OF GOD!
I LIVE AS A FREE—CHILD—OF—GOD!
(FREEDOM—FREEDOM—FREEDOM OVER ME!)

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 19 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "ACCEPTANCE"

Greetings, family!

Today is Tuesday, February 17th, and the word for today is, "Acceptance."

"Resentment, feat, criticism and guilt cause more problems than anything else," says author Author Louise Hay. By choosing not to judge myself and instead see myself as unique, capable, loving and bright, and by accepting myself just as I am, I will be modeling nonviolence. Any time I take down the walls of defense, I open myself to a nonviolent way of living.

"Life has no other discipline to impose--if we would but realize it--than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from,everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such."--Henry Miller

Today's recommended nonviolent activity: As I reflect on what is difficult for me to accept--in myself, in other people, and in the state of the world--I'll let go of any resistance or judgement, and allow myself to acknowledge and accept whatever I have been resisting.

TURNIN' IT ALL OVER (Janis Kelly @2008)

I'm gonna stop obsessing about the parts of life I can't arrange;
I'm gonna start addressing only those things I have the power to change;
I think I'll ease my stressing about what may or may not come to be;
And try some decompressing--release this stranglehold life's got on me;
And see myself as free!

I'm: Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over;
To the hands of Love!
I'm: Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over;
To the hands of Love!
To the heart of Love!
To the mind of Love!

The weight that I've been giving to these thoughts of fear and lack and pain;
Just makes me keep reliving the same old situations again and again;
It's time to start forgiving the issues that still haunt me from my past;
So I can get to living a life that's filled with joy and happiness;
And find some peace at last!

I'm: Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over;
To the hands of Love!
I'm: Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over;
To the hands of Love!
To the heart of Love!
To the mind of Love!

I want to let go; I want to know;
The difference between Your will and mine.
I want to see Your path for me;
And to find a way to make it truly mine.

I'm: Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over!

I'm: Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over;
To the hands of Love!
I'm: Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over; Turnin' it all over;
To the hands of Love!
To the heart of Love!
To the mind of Love!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 16 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "GRATITUDE"

Greetings, family!

Today is Saturday, February 14 (Happy V-day everybody!!), and our word for the day is, "Gratittude."

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."--Melody Beattie

Today's exercise: I will list five things for which I am grateful and share these good things with another, then reflect on who and what made those experiences possible. I will write a "thank you" note to someone who would least expect me to thank them. I'll journal about my feelings with regard to this.

Today: "Today, I make a conscious effort to smile at someone whom I have held a grudge against."

MY LOVE DIVINE (Janis Kelly @2008)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y8Wv5KA1Fw)
I am discovering my own beauty, discovering my worth;
I am discovering my perfection, and my place upon this earth.
I am divine! I am divine!
I am divine! I am divine!

I am my own beloved, I'm everything I've been searching for;
I am my own beloved, I am all this and so much more;
I am my own beloved, I am everything I've been trying to find;
I am my own beloved—-my love divine!

I am exploring my inner vision, exploring what makes my heart sing;
I am exploring my deepest yearnings, and all the gifts I have to bring.
I am divine! I am divine!
I am divine! I am divine!

I am my own beloved, I'm everything I've been searching for;
I am my own beloved, I am all this and so much more;
I am my own beloved, I am everything I've been trying to find
I am my own beloved—-my love divine!

I am embracing my passionate nature, embracing my heart's desire;
I am embracing my true potential: water, earth and air and fire.
I am divine! I am divine!
I am divine! I am divine!

I am my own beloved, I'm everything I've been searching for;
I am my own beloved, I am all this and so much more;
I am my own beloved, I am everything I've been trying to find
I am my own beloved—-my love divine!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com

DAY 14 OF THE SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: "HUMILITY"

Greetings, family!

Today is Thursday, February 12, and our word for the day is "Humility." Making mistakes is a part of learning and growing, simply an error in approach. Paradoxically, the only way we can begin to escape from the consequences of our actions is to stop running from them and to face them with fortitude and humility. In this sense, every difficult situation is a precious opportunity for learning.

When we humbly acknowledge our mistakes and reflect on what we have learned, it frees us from the need to be defensive. Being free from defending our position creates an opportunity for nonviolence.

"The seeker after truth should be humbler than the dust. The world crushes the dust under its feet, but the seeker after the truth should so humble himself that even the dust could crush him. Only then, and not till then, will he have a glimpse of the truth."--Gandhi

Today's exercise: As I gaze up at the stars tonight, I am aware of how small I am, how my life is but a fleeting moment in the vast scale of time and distances of the solar system and the universe. And in that moment of humility, I acknowledge that I DO make a difference.

CHANGE THE WORLD (Janis Kelly @2007)

CHORUS: I can help to change the world,
I can help to turn things ‘round;
With just one simple act of kindness,
Just one single act of faith!
I can help to change the world,
I can let my voice be heard;
If I allow myself to stand in peace,
And always live in love!

I may not think that I am strong enough,
Or smart enough, or skilled enough;
I may not think that I have gifts that can—
Bring healing to this world;
But when I listen to my Spirit’s voice,
Which says I can do anything;
I know that I can make a difference,
I know that I can take a stand!

CHORUS

You may not think that you are brave enough,
Or bright enough, or blessed enough;
You may not think that you have anything—
To offer to this world;
But when you lend someone a helping hand,
A friendly word, a warm embrace;
You see that you can make a difference,
You see that you can take a stand!


CHORUS: You can help to change the world…

We change the world—by changing our thoughts;
We change the world—by changing our lives;
We change the world—by changing our vision;
Not just for ourselves but for all mankind!

We can change the world! We can change the world!
We can change the world! We can change the world!

CHORUS: We can help to change the world...

If we can always live [always live, always live]
If we can always live [always live, always live)
If we can always live [always live, always live]
If we can always live [always live, always live]
If we can always live [always live, always live]
If we can always live [always live, always live)
If we can always live [always live, always live]
If we can always live [always live, always live]
IN LOVE!

Peace, blessings & brilliance,

Janis
www.janis-kelly.com