I recently visited Seattle and witnessed something I had never seen before, which had me pondering over those who have and those who have not.  I see now that it is all just a matter of perspective.

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My husband and I were driving down to the waterfront to visit Pike Place Market.  A haggard looking couple (who looked 30ish) wearing open trench coats (with several layers of clothing underneath) were walking across the railroad tracks to our right.  I observed them, wondering why they wore several layers of clothing in July.  Granted, Seattle is certainly not as warm as most places during the summertime, yet wearing layers of clothing seemed a bit much.  As odd and haggard looking as they were, I did take special notice of the very gleeful look shining upon each of their faces.

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As this couple continued walking along, they came upon a public telephone that had a large paper cup sitting on top of the casing.  The female grabbed the cup, looked into it, and then took a drink of whatever liquid was left inside.  She then passed the cup to her male companion who hugged her, and then took a drink from this cup as well.  So there they were, continuing to walk along and happily sharing a drink from this large paper cup someone had abandoned on top of that public telephone casing.

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My husband was appalled as he witnessed this, saying that they were perhaps homeless or druggies, etc.  I wasn’t appalled -- I was rather intrigued!  What was their story?  My initial assumption leaned somewhat toward my husband’s -- they have not -- they have not a home, a job, etc.  Yet, they appeared quite happy as they walked along, and finding that large paper cup made their day even sweeter.  I sensed that in their perspective, they have much.  Their cup of life was half full, not half empty.

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This experience sure touched me deeply -- I’m now taking a good look into my own cup of life. 

All are alike; there is no difference between one person and another.  Come to see all as a divine idea; stop all negative thought; think only about what you want, and never about what you do not want, as that would create a false creation.  Ernest S. Holmes, Creative Mind--Tapping the Power Within, page 48, The Perfect Universe

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First remember that nothing happens by chance.  All is law and all is order.  You create your own laws in every time you think.  There is something, call it what you will, but there is Power around you that knows and that understands all things.  This Power works like the soil; it receives the seed of your thought and at once begins to operate upon it.  It will receive whatever you give to it and will create for you and throw back at you whatever you think into it.  Ernest S. Holmes, Creative Mind--Tapping the Power Within, page 84, Prosperity

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We can’t constantly get caught up with the spiritual world and forget to pay attention to the physical world--to what’s right in front of us.  We can’t constantly look for validations from the Other Side every step we take or we’ll miss all the little joys of life on this side.  We’re here for a reason--to live our lives as best we can and to be as fully present in our lives as possible.  We have to appreciate the validations as they come---in their own way.  John Edward, After Life--Answers From the Other Side, page 124, Circle of Love

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It is important to remember that Karma is about learning, not about punishment.  Our parents and the other people with whom we interact possess free will.  They can love and help us, or they can hate and harm us.  Their choice is not your Karma.  Their choice is a manifestation of their free will.  They are also learning.  Brian Weiss--Messages From the Masters, Audio Tape, Tapping Into the Power of Love

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A hard life is not a punishment, but rather an opportunity.  We must learn from all sides.  We experience everything.  Karma is ultimate justice.  Nothing is overlooked in our learning.  Grace, however, can supersede Karma.  Grace is divine intervention--a loving hand reaching down the heavens to help us--to ease our burden and our suffering.  Once we have learned the lesson, there is no need for further suffering, even if the Karmic debt has not been fully repaid.  We are here to learn, not to suffer.  Brian Weiss--Messages From the Masters, Audio Tape, Tapping Into the Power of Love

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Experience is much stronger than belief.  Learn from your experiences.  What helps, without harming, is valuable.  Happiness comes from within.  it is not dependent on external things or on other people.  You become vulnerable, and can be easily hurt when your feelings of security and happiness depend on the behavior and actions of other people.  Never give your power to anyone else.  Brian Weiss--Messages From the Masters, Audio Tape, Tapping Into the Power of Love

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We have free will.  It’s not an illusion--every choice you make creates, and creates powerfully.  So do not ever think that you are insignificant, because when you do you are giving yourself permission to create unconsciously, and to will power irresponsibly.  Every choice that you make is powerful, it creates consequences for other people, and you yourself experience those consequences.  Gary Zukav--Igniting Your Soul Life, Audio Tape

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We have been taught that what is in front of our eyes is more important than what is behind it.  Now we are seeing that what is behind our eyes is primary, what is in front of our eyes is secondary.  Gary Zukav--Igniting Your Soul Life, Audio Tape

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The camel has a big ugly hump.  But in the desert, where prettier, more streamlined beast die quickly of thirst, the camel survives quite nicely.  As legend has it, the camel carries its own water, stored in its stupid hump.  If individuals, like camels, perfect their inner resources, if we have the power within us, then we can cross any wasteland in relative comfort and survive arid surroundings without relying on the external.  Tom Robbins--Still Life with Woodpecker--A Sort of Love Story

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Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being.  Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.  Albert Schweitzer

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I will grow.  I will become something new and grand, but no grander than I am now.  Just as the sky will be different in a few hours, its present perfection and completeness is not deficient, so am I presently perfect and not deficient because I will be different tomorrow.  I will grow and I am not deficient.  Dr. Wayne Dyer