One perfect spring day, I loaded my car and headed for a spiritual gathering in Ohio. It was a ten-hour drive from Memphis.

Mystical journeys often come with hurdles; mine came in the form of a flat tire. Fortunately, when my tire gave way, I was close to an auto shop. The owner was straight with me, "Little lady, your tire cannot be fixed and your other tire is about to go. You need two new tires." The tires were rough. Only a month away from the end of my car lease, I had not wanted to buy new tires. He was right. The car needed new tires, which were not in stock, so I had to wait for their delivery. This was going to take a while.

Undaunted by the delay, I took stock of my surroundings. The shop was orderly and everything sparkled. Rather than read a magazine, I met the owners and workers, explored, and asked questions. The shop opened its doors two weeks ago. This place was special. It was someone's dream come true.

We talked of business and babies and serving others. They glowed with a sense of pride. It felt as if I was talking to our country's founding fathers. Each worker had a story, a family, and big dreams.

When I left, six men stood waving and wishing me luck, "Come back; don't forget us." My interest in them flowed back to me. I felt inspired, cherished, and loved.  Life incorporated the inconvenience and made it an integral part of my journey.  What a trip.

Ordinary sacred moments continue to outshine my planned special events. The Ohio spiritual gathering was expansive. I walked on fire, and studied with indigenous elders, but when people asked about my trip, I answered "Well, I had a flat tire." 

Certificate of Release

Congratulations! You have been selected because of the tremendous contributions you make to the international worry community. Your incredible ability to enter the minds of others and experience their pain and suffering for them has guaranteed your place in the annals of worry history.

Because of the heavy worry load you have so valiantly carried, we have to designate a five person committee to handle your work. This karma committee is pleased to transform your worries into spiritual bliss as a part of their karma cleansing course. Should you decide to worry on your own, you will be putting five people out of work. Remember, worry is a prayer for what you don't want.

GUS*,

Make me a channel of infinite love.

Where there is greed, let there be compassion.

Where there is falsehood, let there be truth.

Where there is a sense of entitlement, let there be humble appreciation.

Where there is the need to be right, let there be the need to understand.

Where there is rigidity, let there be malleability.

Where there is intolerance, bigotry, and fanaticism, let there be new sense of empathy.

Where there is fear, let there be a deep rooted sense of safety.

Where there is suffering, let there be joy.

Where there are hardships, let there be ease.

Where there is injustice, let there be fairness.

Where there is stinginess, let there be a sense of enoughness so that we might freely share.

Where there is angry righteousness, let there be peace.

May hypocrisy be replaced with the adherence to one's true sense of self and values.

May we understand that we stand as one body and what is done unto others we do to ourselves.

Some people need a hand up and others need a kick in the butt. Let us be able to distinguish the difference and act accordingly.

Let there be a new sense of harmony that pervades the minds and hearts of people everywhere.

May peace replace our inner battles so that war becomes obsolete.

May our sense of ever-present abundance overshadow our need to do more, be more and get more.

May the love that is inherent in every moment be the guiding grace in our personal and collective world.

Amen