Tag: loveserveinspire

Develop A Vision ✨

On By Heather Wiest

“Take time to develop a vision. As above, so below. First it happens in spirit. Then it manifests in the physical. Not the other way around. First we see a vision. Our soul tells us through the words and eyes of our heart. Then the steps become clear and we see the order in which they should be taken. We waste so much time and effort when we try to accomplish something before we have envisioned it. Learn to let the vision come first. Take time to shape it in spirit before you try to shape it in physical form. If you can’t see something clearly, the vision may not be complete. Take the time you need to think about it, to let it come into focus, to let the vision take shape in your mind. Operating from vision will guide us onto our highest path. It will also make our life and work much easier.” ~ Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart

Take time to develop a vision for all you want to do. Let your vision guide you. When it manifests itself first in spirit, the physical form will follow.

Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.

Jonathan Swift

The Open Door 
A door opens. Maybe I’ve been standing here shuffling my weight from foot to foot for decades, or maybe I only knocked once. In truth, it doesn’t matter. A door opens and I walk through without a backward glance. This is it, then, one moment of truth in a lifetime of truth; a choice made, a path taken, the gravitational pull of Spirit too compelling to ignore any longer. I am received by something far too vast to see. It has roots in antiquity but speaks clearly in the present tense. “Be,” the vastness says. “Be without adverbs, descriptors, or qualities. Be so alive that awareness bares itself uncloaked and unadorned. Then go forth to give what alone you can give, awake to love and suffering, unburdened by the weight of expectations. Go forth to see and be seen, blossoming, always blossoming into your magnificence.” ~ Danna Faulds

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“Wait. Wonders are unfolding. Cultivate silence. God speaks in silences. A silence, a soft wind, each can be a message to convey My meaning to the heart, though by no voice, or even word. Each word or thought of yours can be like a pearl that you drop into the secret place of another heart, and in some hour of need, lo! the recipient finds the treasure and realizes for the first time its value. Individual efforts avail nothing. It is only the work of the Universal Spirit—My Spirit—that counts.” ~ God Calling: The Secret Pearl

Recharging Mudra Flow

We give so much of ourselves everyday and in every way. Remember to take time to meditate, to listen, receiving Divine love, peace, wisdom and strength. Continue to develop your vision and be a radiant offering and blessing to others!

Mudra = seal; an action taken to lock in an intention.
1. Inhale in Anjali (offering) mudra at heart center. 2. Exhale as you cup hands into Kapota (Dove, gesture of peace) mudra. 3. Inhale as you bring fingertips inward to create the budding of a flower. 4. Exhale into Pushpanjali (offering of flowers) mudra; representing your offering or service to others. 5. Inhale lifting hands into Padma (lotus, openness & growth), receiving & recharging in Divine love. 6. Exhale drawing all from above into heart center, Anjali mudra. ♡

Mandala of Compassion 💮

On By Heather Wiest

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning circle or spirit. The mandala appears in all aspects of life: the celestial circles we call earth, sun, and moon, as well as conceptual circles of friends, family, and community. “Each person’s life is like a mandala, a vast limitless circle. We stand in the center of our own circle, and everything we see, hear and think forms the mandala of our life. Everything that shows up in your mandala is a vehicle for your awakening. From this point of view, awakening is right at your fingertips continually. But it’s up to you whether your life is a mandala of neurosis or a mandala of sanity.” ~Pema Chodran

Our intention for this week is to invite more interconnectedness, compassion and wholeness into our lives. Yoga Sutra lll.24 (maitryadisu balani) teaches the cultivation of friendliness creates inner strength. Experiencing healthy compassion and lovingkindness toward ourselves and others strengthens our interconnectedness and sense of well-being. I love this passage from The Message, “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.” (Colossians 3:12-14, MSG)

“We typically think of our emotional range as something that is fixed and unchanging, a reflection of the personality we’re born with. But research is revealing the possibility that we may be able to cultivate and increase our ability to feel the emotional state of compassion. Researchers have found that feeling connected to others is as learnable as any other skill.” ~ Kelly McGonigal

💮 Where and with whom in your life can you experience more interconnectedness and wholeness, lovingkindness and compassion? 

💮 Personal transformation occurs in circles, not rows. Who’s in your inner circle, supporting you, yet challenging you to grow?

Awakening Compassion Guided Meditation

Gently close your eyes. Roll the shoulders up, back and down. Take 3 deep breaths. Place your hands in a comfortable position. Settle in.

Imagine the horizon spanning through your chest with a radiant sun rising in your innermost center—your heart. As though being melted by the solar warmth, release tension in your shoulders and across your throat. Soften your forehead and rest your attention inward on the light deep within. Take 3 smooth, even breaths. As you inhale, invite the glow from your heart to expand toward the inner surface of the body. With each exhale, let the light recede. Take another 3 peaceful breaths.

Attuning deeply to your heart center, offer compassion to yourself, honoring your journey wholeheartedly, dissolving all self-judgment, shame and guilt naturally.

As you embrace yourself compassionately, you enhance your ability to offer lovingkindness to those you care for deeply, embracing both their positive and challenging qualities.

Bring into your heart the image of someone you care for deeply, releasing any expectation of how they should be, creating a space of openness in which their transformation, and yours, can occur more easily. Take a full, deep breath.

As you offer compassion to yourself and to those you care for deeply, you gradually develop the ability to offer compassion to those with whom you experience separation or difficulty.

Bring into your heart the image of someone you find challenging, perceiving their authentic being rather than focusing on their actions and beliefs. Take a full, deep breath.

As you hold this person within your heart of compassion, clearly see that all of their actions are based on a need for love, support and security, even if those needs are expressed inappropriately.

By seeing this person compassionately, your feelings of judgment, anger and resentment are released more easily, allowing you to see this person and yourself more objectively, while creating safe and appropriate boundaries. Take a deep, cleansing breath.

Now, open your heart of compassion to all beings, honoring each person’s journey, recognizing that all of us are moving, within the limits our our understanding, toward a vision of love, peace, freedom and joy.

Affirm your growing compassion, repeating the following intention 3 times, aloud or silently: With a heart of compassion, I clearly see that we all share a journey toward love, peace, freedom and joy.

Take a full, deep breath. When you are ready, open your eyes, returning slowly and gently, sensing your heart of compassion guiding your journey.

~ Adapted from Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian Le Page

💮 Continue to radiate love and compassion, expanding your life mandala. 💮

Always Into Love by Danna Faulds

On this voyage of
the soul, may we be
bridge builders,
our common ground
visible beneath the
surface differences.

May we braid the
threads of reconciliation
into a chain of possibility
that joins, heals, and
includes what once 
seemed separate.

May our shared prayer
be answered: to grow
so open that there is
no “them” or “us,”
only the One, moving
always into love.

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Show up.

On By Heather Wiest

You have a true gift. You make a difference each and every day. The practice of offering SELFLESS SERVICE is called SEVA in the Sanskrit language. SEVA is love in action, offering service without expectation of reward. Who has showed up for you? How are you showing up for others? ♡

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply use yourself, your life will count for plenty.” ~ Matthew 23:11-12, The Message

Take a few deep breaths and imagine an ordinary day. An average day, with the normal routine as you currently experience it on a regular basis. Where do you go? Who do you see? What do you do? Briefly extend your thoughts to include your week. Now reaching out and extending even further to include reoccurring appointments and plans on your calendar each month. How do you spend your time? Spend a few moments picturing the places, the faces, and the activities that fill your days and nights. What does you life look like? Look at the big picture and then very kindly ask yourself, “How much of that time do I spend reaching out to help others?” Take care with your answer, honestly, gently investigating the truth. Acknowledge any lack of effort or desire on your part, the missed opportunities. Without any shame or guilt simply inquire, “What would love have looked like there?” Bring to mind the gratitude that you have felt when a hand reached out to help you. Remember the feelings of compassion and usefulness when you in turn were moved to serve someone in need. Now begin to shift your focus to the days and the weeks ahead, to that routine that plays out month after month and notice all the opportunities to express love and service in the future. Pay attention to all of the spaces in between, all the moments, the hours and the days with room for a smile, a phone call, a cup of coffee, or maybe even something more. Think of all the big and small ways that you can share and express the joy and love that can be found in every aspect of the ordinary day. ~ Marta Mrotek, Miracle in Progress

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

The Starfish Story (Adapted): by Loren Eiseley
One day a man was walking along the beach, when he noticed a boy hurriedly picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “Young man, what are you doing?”
The boy replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
The man laughed to himself and said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make any difference!” After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference to that one.” ♡

“I alone can’t change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ~ Mother Teresa

“At the deepest level of union with the divine presence flows action, service to others that is freer of self. This service may not be big, showy, or even noticeable. This form of service may be hidden, unseen, but very real to anyone whose perception is refined enough to appreciate it — just like God.” ~ David Frenette

Selfless Service (Seva) Meditation:
Sit comfortably with Pushpaputa mudra (open cupped hands).

pushpaputa-mudra2
Breath deeply in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Invite the Divine to enter into your meditation.
Say to yourself: Divine, help me get out of my own way. Help me be of service to someone else. Please show me who to serve, and how to serve.
Sit in stillness and listen to the inner guidance.
Now, imagine giving the precious gift of selfless service.

The Simple Path: by Mother Teresa
Silence is Prayer
Prayer is Faith
Faith is Love
Love is Service
The fruit of Service is Peace.

I have a true gift.
My life is filled with limitless opportunities!
How am I sharing my time and talents to help and serve others unconditionally?
Are there some new avenues to explore? ♡

From The Inside Out 🌀

On By Heather Wiest

I just returned from guiding a beautiful holistic retreat weekend in Carefree, Arizona. From The Inside Out developed out of a calling placed upon my heart in the summer of 2023. I am beyond grateful God empowered me to prepare and facilitate this incredible weekend at the hospitable Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, January 17-19, 2025. Each beautiful soul attending was a treasure to have and get to know better. ❤️ “I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.” Psalm 9:1-2 MSG

  • Spirit in The Desert Retreat Center
  • Beautiful Views of Carefree
  • From The Inside Out Holistic Retreat 2025
  • Ravenscroft Chapel
  • Body Prayer Session
  • Inspired Intentions Yoga Nidra Session
  • Paint and Create Session with Vangie Rodriguez
  • Labyrinth in the Desert
  • Sound Bath Healing Session with Angela Sanchez
  • God, Thank You!

“Use three words to describe your experience at this retreat,” was one of the retreat evaluation questions:

Needed
Important
Inspiring
Peace
Joy
Love
Relaxing
Empowering
Releasing
Blissful
Challenging
Reflective
Cleansing
Comforting
Refreshing
Soothing
Restorative
Absolute perfect timing
Just what I needed
Energizing
Spiritual
Immersive
Timely
Enjoyable
Rejuvenating
Useful
Meditative
Embodied
Serene

Another evaluation question asked, “Name one thing you will remember most about this retreat.”

•Spending time with my daughter-in-law
•Community
•How everyone was free to be vulnerable and open
•Incredible community as well as alone time
•The importance of making time to be still, feel my body, listen and receive
•The variety of things I learned that I didn’t know I needed
•The whole weekend was amazing
•The sound bath meditation was an added bonus at the end of the retreat
•The beauty of Christianity with yoga
•I loved the spiritual aspect
•Experiencing this with my daughter
•Having my token male husband join me. And loved the surprise at how much he enjoyed it since he didn’t really know what he signed up for! 😊
•Being still and communing with the triune God…

Amen! 🙏🏻 There have been requests for more experiences like this one… let’s see where God leads… ❤️

I determine to live the outer life in the inward sanctuary. The outer life must find its meaning, the source of its strength, in the inward sanctuary. As this is done, the gulf between the outer and inner will narrow and my life will be increasingly whole and of one piece. What I do in the outer will be blessed by the holiness of the inward sanctuary; for indeed it shall all be one.” Howard Thurman

Miracles 💫

On By Heather Wiest

Don’t give up on a MIRACLE!

Our world is filled with deeply hurting people and seemingly impossible situations. I know God can move in mighty and mysterious ways—my own life is a miracle itself! I have been praying for MIRACLES for family and friends—for physical healing, financial provision, relationship restoration, and spiritual direction. God loves to answer petitions in Divine will and timing, and rejoices when our hearts are devoted to intercession for others and our world. We’ve got to speak to the impossible!

“For with God nothing will be impossible.” — Luke 1:37 NKJV

I will do the impossible for you. The love I have for you is endless. I will intensify your experience of My love as you seek more of Me. Is there something in front of you that looks impossible? When it looks like everything has blocked your way and there is no one near you to help, I will make it easy for you. Grace will always empower you to sacrifice your personal wishes as you worship in My presence. Strength replaces weakness, grace floods into your impossibility, and I will make it easy for you. The burden you carry must be laid down as you take up My easy yoke and learn of Me. I will enrich your soul, enflame your heart, and give you a greater joy. Song of Songs describes God’s love for us as an unquenchable fire. Imagine standing before that fire and throwing in all of the impossibilities of your life. See them go up in flames! — Brian Simmons

“Place this fierce, unrelenting fire over your entire being.
Rivers of pain and persecution will never extinguish this flame.
Endless floods will be unable to quench this raging fire that burns within you. Everything will be consumed. It will stop at nothing as you yield everything to this furious fire until it won’t even seem to you like a sacrifice anymore.” — Song of Songs 8:6-7, The Passion Translation

Miracle Question Exercise:

Imagine you go to sleep tonight and you awake tomorrow morning. During the night a miracle happened and, when you wake up, your most positive dreams for your future have come true. Remember, a miracle has occurred, so you are waking up to your life as you would ideally like it to be. At this point, you may have only hazy visions of your ideal future, so to help you be specific about what the real life changes would be for you, think about your answers to the following questions:

1. How do you feel when you awake?
2. What is the first thing you will do?
3. Your best friend arrives. Immediately, they notice things have improved. What specific changes do they see?
4. What happens next in your day?

Give a detailed account of the whole day of your ideal life when everything is just as you would ideally want it to be. There are no limits!

This exercise is called the miracle question. It is a question that coaches often ask their clients in order to help them process what they want to change about themselves and their lives.

Adapted from De Shazer, S. (1988, p. 78), Clues: Investigating solutions in brief therapy, New York: Norton

Miracle (Lyrics) by Unspoken
Have you stopped reaching 
No longer seeking greater things 
Have you forgotten 
You have a Father listening
He tells the sun when to rise 
Gives the wind its breath 
Swings a door wide open and 
Moves in the moment you least expect
Don’t you give up on a miracle 
You’ve got to speak to the impossible 
You gotta
Pray till your breakthrough breaks through the ceiling 
Keep on believing 
Don’t you give up 
Don’t you give up 
On a miracle
How many chances 
How many answers 
Pass us by 
You know it takes faith 
To step on the waves 
When you’re terrified 
When you’re backed in a corner 
And you can’t wait any longer
Don’t you give up on a miracle 
You’ve got to speak to the impossible 
You gotta
Pray till your breakthrough breaks through the ceiling 
Keep on believing 
Don’t you give up 
Don’t you give up 
On a miracle
Feels like the prayers and the words you have spoken 
They go unnoticed 
Like drops in the ocean 
Just beyond the veil of your vision 
Your mountains are moving, moving on 
Remember the works His hands have done 
Where you once were and how far you’ve come
Don’t you give up on a miracle
You’ve got to speak to the impossible
You gotta
Pray till your breakthrough breaks through the ceiling
Keep on believing
Don’t you give up
Don’t you give up
On a miracle
Publishing: © 2016 Centricity Music Publishing (ASCAP)/Jon Lowry designee/Wordspring Music, LLC & Fleauxmotion Music (SESAC) Writers: Chad Mattson, Jon Lowry and Tedd T