Let Go of The Story
Rev. Donna Baranyay
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.”
– Lao Tzu –
Much has happened to all of us over the past 6 months. I feel as if I have experienced many endings and new beginnings. We said goodbye to summer and welcomed the fall. Everything seems to be in the form of something pumpkin related these days. Lol! We’ve had to say goodbye to some of our loved ones while welcoming new ones. Life is constantly changing, shifting, and becoming new. I’ve discovered that in order to step forward into something new I have to be willing to let go of what was or at least what I thought it should be. Has anyone else ever felt this way? I’ve found that having a new perspective can help me heal, accept, and surrender to a greater idea…the Higher Idea that is expressing through and as me.
“Let go of your story so the Universe can write a new one for you.”
– Marianne Williamson –
One spiritual practice that I have embraced is the power to re-write my story. There are times in my life that I wish had been different. What I have come to realize is that I have the power to re-write, re-frame an experience in my life. What might have been a difficult or painful experience taught me compassion. What might have been incredibly embarrassing for me at the time taught me that I can persevere and have a different experience next time. I learned power spiritual practices such as forgiveness, prayer, looking for the Good in a situation, patience, trust, and acceptance. Each of us are Divine expressions of God, we are empowered to live the life that God would have us live. However, we need to follow through with the action steps. We have to say yes, shift our perspective, and be open to something new. It can be hard to let something go but when we trust the still small voice within I believe we have the opportunity to experience something even greater.
As some of you may know I will be returning to SBCSL full time in mid December. I am grateful for the journey that I took over the past 6 months, I re-connected with many hearts whom I had missed, made new friends, and felt that I was able to support my former spiritual community, the place where I earned my ministerial wings. It is a healing journey filled with tears and moments of joy, an opportunity to re-write parts of my “story”, and to love myself and others as this chapter closes in my life and the lives of many beautiful souls. I’m grateful for the friendship and love of my spiritual community at SBCSL. I wasn’t able to be as present as I would have liked over the past 6 months and am grateful for the continued friendships, moments of heart to heart connections, and the support and encouragement from Rev Michael, Rev Nicole, Rev Juanita, and many others that I felt so I could answer the call that I heard many months ago. My heart is full of gratitude. Grateful to serve 2 beautiful spiritual communities, the love of many who reached out over the last few months, and the anticipation and excitement of wondering what is next to come. Please join Rev Juanita and I for SBCSL’s Thanksgiving Eve service. Music will be provided by the amazing Lindsey Hundley. My heart is open and I am reflecting back the love that I have felt and received from many of you.
With Love, Gratitude, and Blessings,
Rev Donna
Rev. Donna Baranyay
Rev Donna Baranyay has been a licensed practitioner with CSL for 17 years and a practicing Religious Scientist for over 33 years. She is proud to serve our beloved Jewel by the Sea. She is also a minister, hospice chaplain, grief counselor, and coach focusing her work in spirituality, grief, and end of life care. She also maintains a blog on her website Oursacredjourneys.net.
(Featured Photo used in the blog by Senjuti Kundu on Unsplash)