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Contemplations
with a
a Purpose
2026
July, 2026 - Offered by Grace
Exploring Your Higher Truths - Beauty​​
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Exploring "Beauty" as a higher truth has proven to be challenging for me. I hadn't actually thought deeply about the higher truth of beauty, which is kind of surprising because it turns out that I frequently consider if something is beautiful or not. "That's a beautiful flower, or dress, or story, or gesture," and so forth. But what does that even mean? Certainly we all have our own unique opinions about what is beautiful and what isn't!
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So, in order to consider Beauty as a Higher Truth, it became clear, with Robert's help, that I had to explore it from my own higher perspective energetically. That meant that I needed to dance with and get to know Beauty in the highest frequencies of love and joy. In other words, I needed to join Beauty up within the fields of Gold!
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So, I've created a meditation which I'd love for you to try and share your feedback with us! You can find it below and we're also posting it on the Open Pathways Facebook page. We'd love to hear about your journey of exploring Beauty!
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​​​​​​​​​​​​In Spirit,
Grace​​
June, 2026 - Offered by Grace
Exploring Your Higher Truths - Strength​​
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What a wonderful experience to contemplate strength! Who knew that it can be so powerful while at the same time so fleeting, depending on life's circumstances.​​ Some days you might feel like a kite being flown on a very windy day. You're up so high in the sky, then taking a dive to almost hit the ground, then being whipped back up! Over and over again! One thing is for sure... there are times when it can be difficult to keep your balance, feel grounded, and be certain you are headed in the right direction! That's when accessing your strengths becomes all important!
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Strength #1: Thoughts Direct Energy (and it's the energy that creates)
Now, I admit that understanding the power of our thoughts is not necessarily the guarantee of inner strength. Inner strength requires focus and commitment over time to what you are creating with your energy, thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.
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Strength #2: Perseverance (to achieve something despite difficulties)
It's important to remember that most people are not perfect in their ability to keep their thoughts positively focused on what they want to create. One thing I've noticed is that it's much easier to keep my thoughts positive when I am feeling content and happy. Perseverance speaks to the commitment to remain open and creative even when things are challenging.
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Strength #3: Creativity (the spark that arises in you from within your strength)
Creativity feels nearly impossible for me to define as it is such a deeply personal experience. I could call it an internal dance! Or, a love affair with my soul or creator! One thing for sure is that when it shows up and expresses itself through me, I am in bliss!!! And when it takes a leave of absence, I'm calmly waiting, sometimes distracting myself, and always hopeful!
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​I'm certain as you contemplate your own strengths, you will find many that serve you in all aspects of your life! In these times, it is most important to maintain your strengths as you focus on all the beauty that you choose to create in your world.
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​​​​​In Spirit,
Grace
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May 2026 - Offered by Grace
Exploring Your Higher Truths - Perfection​
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In these challenging times, I find that I have a need to redirect myself to explore higher frequencies and truths more often. In a strange way, I am grateful for this motivator as it is helping me to be more aware of my inner state of mind. One of my favorite ways to shift my perspective is to read a passage from a favorite book that I know will be uplifting. Today, I chose this passage from, "Pearls from the Moon, Rays from the Sun," by Sharon O'Hara.
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"In order to remember who you are and what you are about, it is first necessary to be aware of the higher truths about yourself, truths that are ageless and that speak to you about your uniqueness. These truths have served humanity for eons and will continue to serve as basic guidelines for the human race well into this planet's end times. These truths take the form of perfection, strength, beauty, love, life, and knowledge. This is what you were always intended to be, this is what you were intended to portray."
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I was immediately struck by the importance and depth of each one of these truths and how each have their own infinite and powerful contribution to enrich our lives. So, I'd like to begin this month contemplating perfection and I'll move through the list month by month. I'd love it if you choose to join me!
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Perfection
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When I first saw this word in the list, I was not at all sure that I agreed it should be there. Perfection seemed out of reach...unattainable to me or to anyone for that matter! So, I've taken some time to contemplate and realize that perfection is not something to be achieved. There is a difference between striving for perfection and accepting that you are perfection.
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This awareness opened an entirely new opportunity for me to consider how I define perfection as it pertains to me! I have to admit that it was much easier for me to think of imperfections than perfections. But in time, in dawned on me that the imperfections are perfections! In other words, one of the blessings of acknowledging and accepting my imperfections became a perfection! And I have complete freedom to keep the imperfections or not. Which brings us to the next truth on the list, strength! Which we will get to explore in our June Contemplation! Until then, enjoy your imperfections!
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In Spirit,
Grace
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April, 2026 - Offered by Grace
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Even though... Why Not Choose Joy?
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Whenever I think of the month of April I find myself envisioning and enjoying beautiful spring flowers. I have this early childhood memory of running around in my back yard with glee and picking daffodils and dandelions. My mother would act as if I was presenting her with the most precious gift she had ever received. The flowers would be placed in the perfect vase and displayed on the dining room table. There's nothing like a good memory to bring peace and joy in times of trouble.
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I have to admit, this has been a difficult time for me. As I have been reflecting back, I am realizing I've been trudging through stages of grief, with a strong emphasis on the trudging. I've been in denial, with anger, and I've even tried bargaining, which didn't change or accomplish anything at all. This was a rough time, because I convinced myself that what was going on in the world, according to the news reports, was dark and scary. Note: It is...
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And yet...
I have the benefit of having married my soul mate and a most amazing human. We edit each others postings before publishing them, so I hope he won't edit that part out! I've learned a lot from him in the 22 years we've been together. One of the things I admire and appreciate about our relationship is that he does not cheat me out of my experiences. So, you may have guessed already that he simply waited for me to come to my senses... lovingly... kindly... patiently... and without judgement. I hope I can remember that and have the strength and fortitude to do the same for others.
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So, what does coming to my senses actually mean? It means that I am willing to remember that I am powerful! And, while I fortunately have no real power to change other people, I do have the absolute power to change myself. And then I may be able to influence others simply by staying in the high frequencies of love and caring. Imagine! What if we all did that?
No, really... What if everyone on the planet becomes tired of the boring arguing and fighting? What if we just choose to live life differently? That is, in higher frequencies of love, kindness, and compassion? There are many people like you already living that way. Imagine what our lives will be like as more and more people live in uplifting love! ​​​
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​Okay, I'll sign off, but not without reminding you of the song you may already be hearing in your head... click here to "Imagine"!​​
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In Spirit, Grace
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March, 2026 - Offered by Grace & Robert
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In the Midst of Planetary Alignments... What Better Time to Consider our own Alignment?​
​We are writing this "Contemplation with a Purpose" on February 28th, the evening of the alignment of six planets which can be seen from anywhere on Earth. The planets are Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune. While we are tempted, and may go out to view the sky, we find ourselves more interested in being very still... as there is a part of us that seeks the deep inner stillness needed to sense the energies of the planets in their alignment.
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In this seeking, we find ourselves stirred to consider our own alignment... How are we each aligned within? Are we aligned in self-love? Are we aligned in love of others? Are we aligned in patience? Are we aligned in kindness? Are we aligned in wisdom? And are we aligned in Spirit?
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As we contemplate these questions, we know we have come a long way in our lives and, more often than not, we can say we are aligned in the higher attributes above. And yet, as circumstances on the planet, and particularly in our country, have become more bizarre, it has been challenging to stay high. Still, it's more important now than ever to maintain our inner peace, stability, and power.
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So, here are a few of the things we do to help us stay high:
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We are attending local gatherings of people who are meditating in the park on Sundays.
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We are frequenting local talks by politicians and others who are working to keep our community safe for everyone.
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We are helping our neighbors and friends who need support.
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We are making sure we prioritize our playtime together.
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We are helping to keep energies high with our Monday evening Zoom "Be the Gold" meditations and our monthly "Soul Talk" Zoom gatherings.
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And Grace is helping clients with energy work and channeling while Robert has been doing some event planning and writing.
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We'd love to hear how you are feeling and managing in these times. We're all in this together and it is imperative that we support one another.
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We urge you to trust that your uniqueness is exactly what humanity needs in this very strange time. Because YOU were born on purpose, with purpose, and your contributions make a difference!
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In Spirit,
Grace and Robert
February, 2026 - Offered by Grace
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The Power of the Gold, the Dragon, & Knowing What You Know
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Robert and I like to contemplate… that is, we sit with things… sometimes for a very long time…
When we are contemplating something together, Robert creates art and posts pictures around our home as a way to remind us. The art often stimulates a new perspective which we may, or may not say out loud… Sometimes there’s what feels like a eureka! And sometimes there’s a need for silence… as wisdom percolates.
When Robert first offered the word HOPE as our contemplation, I was reluctant. As I sat with my reluctance, it became clear that I had at some point decided that HOPE meant PROBABLY NOT… In other words, when
I said or thought that I hoped something would happen, there was a subtle, yet powerful dose of subconscious doubt in my hoping!
Whoa! That couldn’t be good! Where did that come from? Why would I settle for hopelessness rather than hopeful? I know better!
And so, I’ve been sitting… and sitting… and sitting with the doubt…
Finally today, I looked at the wall in front of me in our family room where there is a painting of a dragon. The painting was done by our daughter, Sarah, when she was in the third grade. The background is turquoise with painted spots of blue, red and orange. The dragon is golden with a red face and upper jaw, and blue stripes. He looks fierce, powerful, and beautiful…mesmerizing actually…
Ah Ha! That’s what I was missing! Dragons don’t hope! They know! Hope is an important stage when things are a mess and you need to call in what you want. However, ultimately it is WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO KNOW THAT YOU KNOW, and HOW YOU CHOOSE TO BE that creates your reality!
We hope you will join us as we envision and create a new reality that is for the benefit of this beautiful planet and all who live here. And perhaps the dragons are helping us!
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In Spirit, Grace​​​
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January, 2026 - Offered by Grace
The Inner Enemy
"When the inner enemy, one’s own anger, remains uncontrolled, seeking to subdue outer enemies only creates more. Therefore, to tame your own mind stream with the forces of loving kindness and compassion, is the practice of a bodhisattva."​ -Thaye Dorje, the 17th Karmapa
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So, how do we move from anger to loving kindness and compassion? I’ve been contemplating this a great deal… It’s interesting that I can move into the light energies of loving kindness and compassion easily, but when I pay attention to what’s happening in our world now, I sometimes find it difficult to stay in loving kindness. Rather, I might feel anger or helplessness, which are much lower and unhealthy frequencies, and of course do nothing to solve the problems. And then I feel guilt… “because I know better,” I tell myself.
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Here are some truths and perspectives that I’ve come up with to help me when I’m feeling low:​​​
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It’s okay to feel what I feel… I can love myself and be kind and understanding… I have these feelings because I am a loving and kind human being who cares deeply about others and our planet.
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And, while it’s okay for me to feel what I’m feeling, I want to remember that my body is my sacred dwelling place while I’m in human form on this planet.
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So, I came up with some truths and actions to remember when I’m feeling ticked off, scared, sad, and helpless…
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It is a privilege to be a human on planet Earth
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I know the power we each possess to positively influence our own lives and other’s lives through kindness, love, and compassion
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The time for passive consent is over… We must all find our unique ways to be of service and to actively set the high tones for peace through action (even if you can only be active within your own living space.)
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Take time each day to envision the world as you would like it to be. I like to ask Mother Earth to help me to see the world as she would like it to be.
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Hone the practice of wisdom… Let wisdom inform everything you think, say, and do.
In Spirit, Grace