Spiritual Awakening: Leave A Message!!!

As I stood at the podium today to pay my respect’s to Barbara Theodoiou’s son Daniel, who I encountered only a few times over the last 8 years as he battled the heinous disease of addiction, I realized that the world lost a vibrant young man who loved life and showed us all to be compassionate and understanding when we encounter others. As I sat an listened to others speak about Daniel I thought what a message he left us all. He  may have had some very challenging issues but despite all he had been through he remained kind and caring. He may have done some outlandish things because of the stronghold drugs had on him. As Barbara read many of his poem I thought what poignant messages he had to deliver and how unfortunate a young life was lost. Often after a loss we ask GOD why? and we do our best to find a reason. Perhaps GOD has used Daniel for the purpose he had planned and reminding us that it is up to us to deliver messages that are filled with hope and healing so that we will make our world a better place one person at a time.  I was given the honor of being a Pallbearer and as we unloaded the coffin and placed it above the grave preparing it for it’s final rest I began to ask GOD what message he had. As I sat in my car waiting to leave the cemetery the answer came and it was to continue to share a message of positivity and to be of service and value to all those I come in contact with so as to continue to shine my light.

 I have learned through the spiritual awakening process to leave a message that makes people feel like they are appreciated. I have  gone as far as giving thank you notes to the baristas at Starbucks, the tellers at my bank, the cashier at Walmart, and those who donate to my effort to help those touched by cancer who visit http://main.acsevents.org/goto/jdogg2 and make a donation. Recently I took my message of showing gratitude to another level when I visited www.tofa.us and bought 5 tokens of appreciation to give out to random people who did somenthing nice for me. If our awakening allows us to come alive and answer our calling to be more compassionate and appreciative to the people who we meet along out path then we improve the lives of others by simple assuming an attitude of gratitude.