'The Magic of the Night'
by Mary Lascelles

From the magic of the night you come to fill my dreams,  
No need to bring me stardust, no need to bring moonbeams.  
"Phaeton" the Greeks would call you, you are `the shining one',  
And through the myths and legend our hearts   and love you've won.
May these moments last forever like those sands   of time,
May your mystic hoofbeats echo like the words of rhyme.  
Soon the visions of the night will quietly slip away,  
For I cannot take you with me beyond the break of day.

From the book 
'Village Life and Coastal Dreams'  
by Mary Lascelles, the Badgers Creek Company
for the most delightful Equestrian Cards and Books
www.badgerscreek.co.uk 

A Prayer for those awaiting the opening of the Gates of Heaven.

Lord, look down from Heaven, behold, visit, and relieve his / her name, thy Servant. Look upon him / her with the eyes of thy mercy, give him comfort and sure confidence in Thee, defend him from the danger of the enemy, and keep him in perpetual peace and safety; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

“Safe in Your Heart”
by Lucille 
I am always with you —your Love is my home
And I know you’re with me wherever I roam...
Through our gardens of green where the sun is so warm
My spirit is free and our friendship reborn...

We can listen to Birds and feel the soft breeze,
Smell flowers in the grass as we smite at the trees...
When you sleep we share memories in your dreams,
When you wake I am near you and you beside me...

Your eyes cannot see me though your thoughts I can feel
They comfort us both when you know I'm still real...
In your mind and in mine, we are never apart
So be happy in knowing that I’m safe in your heart.
Your adoring pussycat, Dillon

My Horse's Wish

Could you bed me down with kindness,  
On the soft sweet words of love...  
Could you ride me in Man's finest,  
With hands as light as a dove...

Could you teach me with old wisdom,  
By the laws of just and fair...  
Could you be my Friend forever,  
With a trust so true and rare...

Could you meet me on the morrow,  
With grasses green and sweet...  
Could you free me with out sorrow,  
On the plains of loam and wheat...

Could you say farewell with honor,
On the day my life is through...  
And remember me Forever,  
As I shall remember You.

Copyright Barbara Dunn-Reeves  
(sent in by Mara from  New York )   

When your day seems out of balance- and so many things go wrong... When people fight around you and the day drags on so long... 
When parents act like children, in-laws make you think "Divorce"... 
Go out into your pasture... and wrap you arms around your horse.

His gentle breath enfolds you, and he watches with those eyes. He may not have a Ph D, but he is, oh so wise! 
His head rests on your shoulder. You embrace him oh so tight. He puts your world in balance, and makes it seem all right.

Your tears they soon stop flowing. The tension is now eased. The problems have been lifted, and you  ' re quiet and at peace. 
So when you need the balance from circumstances in your day... The best therapy that you can seek... is out there eating hay!!

--Mary Anne Miller

St.Luke Chapter 19.
And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, ³⁰ Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. ³¹ And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. ³² And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. ³³ And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? ³⁴ And they said, The Lord hath need of him. ³⁵ And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. ³⁶ And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

Do not stand at my grave and weep...
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints in the snow.
I am the gentle Autumn rain.

When you awake in the morning's hush
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night,
Do not stand at my grave and cry...
I am not there, I did not die.

(Author unknown)

EXERCISES FOR THE SELF  

THE MILKY RIVER

This exercise is excellent for coping with stress and it will help to re-vitalise the whole of your body.Sit or lie down, relax, be at peace. Be aware of yourself and the space that surrounds you. Become aware of the Healing Light that surrounds you. In your subconscious, allow the trickle of pure milky white light (it may have a tinge of light blue, like a glacier) flow in through the top of your head, down through your neck, through your arms and fingers. Continue allowing this Light to flow through all of your body, down through your legs and then flowing out through your toes. Let this river of Light, notice it will have grown from a trickle to a river, continue to flow through the whole of your body for any length of time from one minute to ten. With more experience, it can even be done during a moment or two of peace during the working day, though total quiet and peace is best.

THE GOLF BALL

This exercise helps to keep away infection and rid the body of toxins, dis-ease and disturbing thoughts.

Sit or lie down, relax, be at peace. Be aware of yourself and the space that surrounds you. Focus on your breathing with easy regular breaths. Now focus your attention on your solar plexus. In your subconscious, imagine a small white ball or sphere of Healing Light. With each breath, allow the ball of Light to grow until it reaches the outside of your body. With each breath, allow it to continue to grow, pushing outside of your body. 
The sphere grows with each breath and as it grows it is pushing out and away all the stress, toxins and malaise that your body has been harbouring.As with the previous exercise,
a small amount of time need only be spared if time is short.
However, if ten to twenty minutes can be put aside each day for one's self, the effect can be greatly increased.

THE PYRAMID
This exercise can done in conjunction with the other two. It is ideal for when one wants peace and quiet in a busy world. It is good for giving oneself protection against outside influences.Sit or lie down, relax, be at peace. Be aware of yourself and the space that surrounds you. In your subconscious, build a four sided pyramid around you. You may find that the sides are tinged with colour, blue , green or rose perhaps. Stay in your pyramid as long as you wish, you can even put one plants or even one's house inside this imaginary shape. Allow the healing energy and Light to surround the pyramid.

THE CIRCLE OF PROTECTION

A quick exercise giving protection from outside influences, use it before a journey or operation for example or even before coping with a difficult situation. In your subconscious, surround yourself in a golden circle of Light. Ask for it to stay with you for the period of time of the situation.

'Spoken' to me in a quiet moment in 1989. You are welcome to share these with others. Print them out, pass them on. Thank you.
Patrick Kempe,Bull Hill Farm, Pilley, Lymington, Hants. SO41 5RU
Registered Healer Member of the National Federation of Spiritual Healers.Thank you Penny for reminding me to put these exercises onto my web site.

The Horse's Prayer

Feed me, water and care for me
And when the day's work is done
Provide me with a clean shelter, a clean dry bed
And a stall wide enough for me to lie down in comfort;
Be always gentle to me, and talk to me;
Your voice often means more to me than the reins.
Pat me sometimes that I may serve you
The more gladly and learn to love thee.
Do not jerk the reins,
And do not whip me when going up hill.
Never strike, beat, or kick me
When I do not understand what you mean,
But give me a chance to understand you.
Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding,
See if something is wrong
With my harness, or my feet.
Don't draw the straps too tight.
Give me freedom to move my head.
If you insist on me wearing blinkers
To keep me from looking around, at least,
See to it that they do not press against my eyes.
Don't make my load too heavy,
And, don't leave me tied up in the rain.
Have me well shod,
Examine my teeth when I do not eat;
I may have an ulcerated tooth
And that you know is painful enough.
Do not tie my head in an unnatural position,
Or take away my best defence against flies
By cutting off my tail.
I cannot tell you when I'm thirsty
So please give me pure cold water frequently.
Do all you can to protect me from the sun
And throw a cover over me
When I am standing out in the cold.
Don't force an ice cold bit into my mouth,
But warm it first
In some warm water, or in your hands.
I always try to do cheerfully
The work you require of me.
And day and night
I stand for hours waiting for you.
And finally my master,
When my useful strength is gone,
Do not turn me out to starve or freeze,
Or sell me to a cruel owner
To be slowly tortured and starved to death.
But do thee my master take my life
In the kindest way.
And your God will reward you here and hereafter.
You may not think me irreverent
If I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a stable.
AMEN

Supplied to Terry Keegan by  A. E. Fisher, Benwick, Cambridgeshire.
And taken from the book
The Heavyhorse its harness  and harness decoration. c.1972
Sourced by:

GONE...
You have gone from my life
But the love has not
The feeling I have for you,
Are with me day and night.

The days grow longer
The nights get lonelier.
Memories I have of you
Stay precious in my heart.

With yours one day, my love,
My heart will be reunited.
The path of happiness we will walk
Feeling sorrow and grief no more.
S.H., Weston-super Mare

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that special friend goes to Rainbow Bridge.

 

There are meadows and hills for them so that they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

 

All the animals who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigour; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by.

 

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.

 

His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your friend finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

 

The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress that beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your trusted companion, so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together......"

BEYOND LIFE'S GATEWAY

There's an open gate

At the end of the road

Through this we must go alone

And there in a light we cannot see

Our Father claims his own.

Beyond this gate

Our dear loved one

Finds happiness and rest

And there is comfort in the thought

That a loving God knows best.

DEPARTED FRIEND

 

I'll lend you for a little time

A child of mine, God said,

For you to love the while he lives

And mourn for when he's dead.

 

He'll bring his charm to gladden you

And should his stay be brief,

You'll have his lovely memories

A solace for your grief.

 

Now will you give him all your love,

Nor think the labour vain,

Nor hate me when I call around

To take him back again?

 

We sheltered him with tenderness,

We loved him while we may,

And for the happiness we've known

We shall, forever grateful stay.

 

But you came 'round to call for him

Much sooner than we planned -

Dear Lord, forgive this grief

And help us understand.

Smiling

Smiling is infectious - you catch it like the 'flu:

When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin.

When he smiled, I realised I'd passed it on to him!

I thought about the smile, then I realised its worth:

A single smile like mine could travel round the Earth.

If you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected

Let's start an epidemic quick and get the world infected!

'Held by the everlasting arms of Eternal Peace.'

I said to the man who stood at the golden gate, 'Give me a light that I might tread safely into the darkness of the unknown.' He replied, 'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.' Anon.

What is Dying?

A ship sails and I stand watching until she fades on the horizon and someone at my side says, 'She is gone.' Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all, she is just as large as when I saw her. The diminished size and total loss of sight is within me, not in her and just at that moment when someone says at my side, 'She is gone,' there are others who are watching her coming and other voices take up a glad shout, 'Here she comes!' - and that is dying.

____________________________________

Prayer of an Indian Thinker.

Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them.

Let me not pray for the stilling of my pain but for my heart to conquer it.

'It was with great regret and sadness that I have heard the very sad news about the passing of your husband and right hand man. How very, very much you must miss him. I'm sure that the very stern stuff you are made of will help you to pick up the reins and with the help of the Lord, carry on all your good works.'

UNCLE RICHARD (my Godfather) 1916 -1995 Service 20.12.95

When a day is done and a figure turns and says a last goodbye

Although they cannot understand that they must go, or why

But as they leave our sorrow and our sad tears far behind

They move ahead to seek the peace that every soul must find

For now they sail a ship upon a different sea

A voyage filled with love and hope and new discovery

And may the journey bring them to a distant lighted shore

They'll be greeted by the outstretched arms of those who've gone before

And people they have known and loved and voices from the past

Will be singing out the welcome news that they are Home at Last.

Love and Law are basic human values.

Love as Thought - is Truth.

Love as Action - is Right Conduct.

Love as Understanding - is Peace.

Love as Feeling - is Non-violence.

All people must share in this precious heritage of Selfless, Universal Love

and develop it by practice in daily life.

I offer myself in service to the Lord to be used as a channel for Healing and as such expect nothing other than the inner peace of knowing that I have tried to help a fellow traveller on the Pathway of Life.

'Nothing New Under the Sun'

The cure of a part should not be attempted without treatment of the whole. No attempt should be made to cure the body without the soul, and therefore, if the head and body are to be healthy, you must begin by curing the mind. That is the first thing. Let no one persuade you to cure the head until he has first given you his soul to be cured. This is the great error of our day, in the treatment of the human body, that the physicians first seperate the soul from the body.

Plato (428 - 348 BC)

'Be careful of the words you say, so keep them soft and sweet.

You never know from day to day which ones you'll have eat.' via Olive Simons.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons for they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own activities however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery but let this not blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aversity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune but do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and lonliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the Universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here and whether or not it is clear to you, the Universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with your soul. With all its sham and drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Found in Old St.Paul's Church, Baltimore, dated 1692.

T-E-A-M

Together Everyone Achieves More