‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – with a twist

May you have a blessed Christmas! Enjoy this poem as my gift to you.

Love,
Kira Wagner
Your Freedom Guide

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land -
Not a person was stirring, no woman nor man;
Heads were bowed and in silence they’d start,
To offer up prayers that God’s love would fill hearts.

The faithful knew peace and love still abounds,
Yet even their hearts questioned as they looked around;
Confusion, despair, depression and more
All searching for peace to be bought in a store.

Some children seemed lost, forgotten, alone,
Some on the streets – others at home.
Families broken in pain and in strife
Values confused between money and life

Fighting abroad, precious lives lost
Fighting within – joy being the cost
No sound of laughter rang through the night
All eyes were cast downward to avoid such a sight.

Then throughout the heavens rang bells clear and strong,
Sending a message in beautiful song.
The angels gave praise as they sang loud and clear,
Rejoice in His love, hold this one thought dear.

God’s love was a gift – to me and to you.
He freely gave and paid the price too.
His power is greater than any on earth
His love came to light the night of His birth.

Look to the stars; let your heart fill with joy
Each moment give thanks for that tiny boy
He came with purpose and power and might.
He led the way with actions and sight.

Give thanks overflowing; let your heart fill with cheer
Banish the doubt, the dark and the fear.
God’s love reigns supreme He’ll care for us all
Be still in His plan, then follow his call.

So trust and faith were the answer to prayer
With a touch of patience as we rest in His care.
Share laughter and joy as you see with His sight
And, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

12/24/2009 Kira P. Wagner

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Gratitude Day 13 – “Redneck”

Today I’m grateful that I’m a Redneck. I know, it’s a bit of a left turn and with the “redneck” association to the south but I was pleased when I received this in an email from a friend. It’s a different take, and I think that it applies across continents and cultures as it’s really about respect and heart.

So while we have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years, it’s time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God.

You might be a redneck if:

  • It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, ‘One nation, under God’
  • You’ve never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places
  • You still say ‘Christmas’ instead of ‘Winter Festival’
  • You bow your head when someone prays
  • You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem
  • You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have
  • You’ve never burned an American flag in protest, nor intend to
  • You know what you believe and you aren’t afraid to say so, no matter who is listening
  • You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same
  • You’d give your last dollar to a friend

BTW – My daddy’s family was most recently from Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma area while my mom’s was from Russia and the Ukraine so I get the cross culture concept :)

Have a great day!

Sincerely,
Kira Wagner, Your Freedom Guide

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Gratitude – Day 7 Love

Serendipity plays into life when we stay in the moment.

Today I am grateful for love, the caring of family and friends both near and far. The love of a God who is all present and all knowing and loves me unconditionally.

And tonight my prayers go out to the young family of Noah Biorkman in Tennessee. While his CarePage has the same information it also requires a log-in. It’s times like these that this poem is so fitting.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.” ~ by Mary Stevenson

May you be held in the palm of His hand – today and always!

Kira

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Gratitude – Day 6 Peace of Mind

Today I’m grateful for peace of mind.

Sometimes when it seems that there is a firestorm all around God speaks in the still small voice and says; “Peace, be still” and I know that whatever is on the horizon will come out OK.

It reminds me of the story about the old Chinese emperor who wanted his artisans to create something so unique that it would always keep him centered. After many trials, a fine jeweler brought him a gold ring with nothing more than four words engraved around the inside of the ring.

At once he knew that this was what he had been looking for. When he was on the top of the mountain so proud in his accomplishments or in the valley of despair, one look and he would find a balance in his life.

All of this with these four simple words, “this too shall pass“.

May the wisdom of this saying be yours today.

In Harmony,
Kira

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Gratitude – Day 5 – The Power to Feel

Today I am grateful that I can feel, to feel love, joy, sorrow, elation, hope, despair – and so much more. The complexity of the human heart is what makes all life such an incredible journey.

May you embrace all of the feelings of life and welcome them as a mark of your humanity.

In Harmony,
Kira

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Barack Obama – President and Commander in Chief

And the email began “Federal Judge Carter sets Trial Date for Obama’s Eligibility! The expedited trial has been set for Jan. 26, 2010!”

We worry about the economy, complain about the national debt, argue about appropriations for education and then we want to invest precious resources in continuing this debate on PRESIDENT Obama’s birthright.

Dear heaven, the man was elected by the American People. He inherited a plethora of challenges befalling a nation at war (sorry but don’t use the “military action” definition with Afghanistan and Iraq when there are deaths in the thousands), a nation who’s education system is tied up in tests and tenure, and foreign soil owns more of America than Americans where the national debt is growing faster than most of us can even think.

And we (as a nation) want to spend money trying to prove that this man doesn’t have a right to serve in the position we elected him to?

On the other hand, maybe this whole birth certificate ordeal is a gift in disguise. Maybe it is time to change (yes I know – talk about spending money). Maybe our laws need to be focused on the best person for the job and get rid of the first qualification that says you have to be an American BY BIRTH by amending Article 2 Section 1 of the Constitution.

“Birthright” has nothing to do with “qualification”. On the one hand you have Nidal Malik Hasan, born in Virginia and his recent activities at Fort Hood. On the other hand, this country could have had no greater advocate than my Mom – a naturalized citizen that took great pride in her right to vote and participate in all this country had to offer her. She believed that this country was a place where we had the opportunity to make our dreams come true and it was up to each of us as individuals to pursue those dreams with dedication and heart.

Since I’ve met classmates of Mr. Obama from Hawaii – I’m completely satisfied with his right to serve – and yes I voted for him as the best person for the job. While he may have had opportunities to make different, possibly better, decisions – in my heart I believe that any judgment call can only be made by walking a mile in his shoes.

It seems like we may be talking about bigger issues here.

  • There are those that are still challenged to simply look at the heart rather than the color of the skin, the size of a bank account or even the size clothes someone wears.
  • We still have those that refuse to believe we have poverty in this country. I’ve met them. They are like the ostrich with their head underground.
  • There appears to be a consensus that our children are better educated in public schools. But wait, teachers are forced to spend time teaching tests rather than exciting a child’s desire to learn and explore, and question “WHY”! Furthermore, if tenure is involved they can be derelict in their duties and get a promotion (put in administration just to get them away from the students).
  • Some believe doing “business as usual” has nothing to do with who you are at the core, that it isn’t personal, it’s “just business” …
  • …and it goes on.

While it may seem like I’m harping on the negative, I want it clear that I know some beautiful advocates for equality and peace, some passionate and caring teachers (I’ve had both in my lifetime) as well as many integrity driven business associates.

The point is there are MANY other investments of our resources than to try to remove someone from office under these circumstances / accusations.

In keeping with “choice” I’m setting a rule in my Outlook email deleting all emails that have “Obama and birth certificate” as I know I won’t change some folks’ minds. That is why we live here – they have a right to their beliefs and the freedom to express it.

I’m just choosing to move forward along the path before me.

In Harmony,
Kira

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Gratitude – Day 4

I wear a ring that says “Everything is possible when you have faith”. And yes – sometimes I wear it to remind myself :)

The saying is true. Who know what we could accomplish if we would release the negative self-talk, that committee that sits on the shoulder and says, who are you to imagine that?

There is a reason that you can’t turn around without seeing some kind of motivational saying about never giving up, always believing, having faith.

Last night a part of me was wondering what was the point of this self-imposed idea of 50+ days writing and sharing about something to be grateful for. Isn’t it just one more voice that keeps saying “the same thing”? And then I heard that little voice repeating “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

And suddenly I understood in my mind what my heart had told me long before – these ARE the thoughts that will serve us, they are profitable for the body, mind and spirit.

Our thoughts do create our reality so…today I am most grateful for the simple suggestion of doing this gratitude “excercise”.

Who knows what will happen by the New Year!

Join me, won’t you, in seeing what you can accomplish with just a little faith!

In Harmony,
Kira

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Gratitude – Day 3

It’s the third day and I find and interesting dichotomy playing in my mind.

Today is Veteran’s Day so we remember those that have served our country in times of peace and war. As a former Marine I was blessed to have never been in any conflict…but many of my friends were not so fortunate.

Now the flip-side is that it’s “Day 3″ which reminded me of the freedom as a gift of personal sacrifice by one man and on the third day He returned and confirmed the fact that death had no power over Him. Christ came and set an example of peace. He preached a gospel of peace and love for our fellow man. The “law” that advocated a time for war was prior to his birth. I wonder what it will take for mankind to embrace the grace that has been imparted.

I am most grateful for the grace. It is because of that love, the mercy of a God who knows that I have one heck of an ego and sometimes get very full of myself – and still loves me while helping me to see the truth that I can close my eyes and night and rest. I would have a hard time sleeping at night otherwise.

There’s an incredible freedom in that knowledge – and I’m grateful for that too!

What is it that you’re grateful for today?

Kira

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Gratitude – Day 2

Well, for all intents and purposes day 2 is nearly gone but it’s length has shown me so many things to be grateful for…

Here are just a few of the simple things that I tend to take for granted each day – I can see the beauty around me with my eyes, I can hear the music of life and laughter, I can feel the love of a friend or loved one with a simple touch of the hand, I can  think for myself and make my own choices / decisions, I can speak my mind and my heart without fear of recrimination, I can use my hands to create and my feet to take me to new destinations…and the list goes on.

So as you log on to your computer and read this message – just stop for a moment and think about all of the gifts that you have – spiritually, physically and financially that made all of this possible…then smile and share that freedom with a friend!

Make it a great day and I will see you tomorrow!

In harmony,
Kira

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Do you have Big Questions about life?

When I moved out here to Southern California I had a wonderful opportunity to meet and work with Royce Morales. My journey with her has been a corner stone of the person I am today.

Royce isn’t your typical human – she really understands that everything in life is interconnected. Not only that, but through PLA (Perfect Love Awakening), she teaches others a step-by-step process to experience the same joy and freedom.

This next week she will be hosting a free seminar in Redondo Beach and if you are ANYWHERE in the area I can’t urge you enough to make sure that you are there!

Here is what she has to say -

Perfect Love Awakening presents

“The Foundation Seminar…”
for life answers and so much more!

  • Why can’t I seem to be fully present, living as who I really am?  What keeps getting in the way of feeling powerful and deserving in my life?  Why does it always feel like something is missing?
  • I am struggling all the time!  My dreams seem to elude me.  I hunger for my life to change, yet I feel the influence of my past determining my future.  Why? What can I do to free myself?  What is my soul trying to communicate and why can’t I hear it?

Perfect Love Awakening is an accelerated inner transformational method that opens you to you, clearing out what gets in the way of fully loving yourself and your life!

PLA offers valuable life-keys to unlock what’s keeping you stuck in joyless, repetitious patterns.

Shift from fear to trust, anger to love, numbness to joy by discovering and releasing self-sabotaging core inner programming that’s getting in your way. 

Deserve to create the life you were born to live!

Attend this free introductory class to find out what PLA offers. 

Tuesday May 12th at 7 p.m. 
Please R.S.V.P. to reserve your space!
PLA Center location: 
235 Avenida Del Norte,
the Riviera Village in Redondo Beach.
The PLA office is in the back building upstairs.

Go to www.placlasses.org for detailed directions and further information about PLA, or contact Royce at  310) 791-7104 daytime or (310) 543-2343 to leave a voicemail message anytime.

OK – so there you have ALL the “Who, What and Where”…

…you know the Why…it’s in your heart as you’ve read this post. So call today and make the most of all of your tomorrows!

I did.

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