I had to post this because I was reading a book and this is part of the Introduction. The book is titled "Small Miracles" But I found this Introduction very interesting as well as eye opening. Sometimes we do have these moments in life where we say things like, "It's was just a coincidence", "Wow, what a coincidence that was", or numerous other comments like that. But it's very seldom that we consider the possibility of it being Divine Presence. There are many times in my life where I can look back and say that those 'so called' coincidences where in fact a Divine Presence, can you?

You know, there are moments in life when we catch our breath and glimpse God's presence. Sometimes it is when we see the glowing face of a sleeping child, sometimes it is when we hear a song. These moments, which shine for an instant and then vanish in a flash, convey a sense of the Divine.

Every leaf, every blade of grass bears God's imprint. But these days most of us are urban dwellers leading hectic lives, and have lost the connection to the earth that enriched our forefathers and helped them see God. Obscured by skyscrapers and the haze of polluted skies, we can barely see the stars, let alone sense a Divine Presence.

Living as so many of us do, lives of alienation and despair, how can we help ourselves reconnect; to God, to one another, to our very selves?

Beyond nature, there are teachers, other experiences that can help us along our journey. These guides, beacons of light and signposts in the labyrinthine wilderness in which we wander, offer us gentle instruction and compassionate encouragement as they firmly propel us back to the path from which we may have strayed.

These experiences, common to us all, can help lead us to our unfulfilled destiny. They occur within the great universal flow of energy, and require nothing more that our sheer awareness of their presence. When consciousness is cultivated and perception is heightened, these experiences can serve as vital tokens of growth and transformation. To encounter these moments in their fullness and richness, to be aware of their message and hear their music, is truly to know God. And predominant among these experiences is the phenomenon we call coincidences.

Coincidences have been defined as luck, chance, a fluke, something our of the ordinary, or a random conjoining of inexplicable events that defies our sense of the reasonable. I firmly believe that coincidences are much more than simple accidents or quirks of fate. To me, coincidences are blessings, the spiritual manna that hosts of angels send down to illuminate our path. They are vivid, striking, awe-inspiring examples of Divine Providence. They are acts of God.

Thousands of years ago, God spoke to man through sublime miracles he preformed on massive scales. We are not so fortunate. Today we wrestle with a hidden God, a concealed God, a God who no longer parts seas, stops the sun, or turns people into pillars of salt. Instead we have coincidences. Smaller, more personal, everyday miracles. For when a coincidence does take place, it is nothing more and nothing less than God tapping us on the shoulder, whispering, or at times even shouting: "I'm here! I'm with you!" Coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous.

Coincidences can also be seen as opportunities for change, vital keys towards expanding our consciousness. If we can learn to become more aware of and attuned to coincidences, more cognizant of their significance, that we will evolve to a higher state of being. When we integrate both the experience and the meaning of coincidences into our lives, we open ourselves to the enriching possibilities, the blessings, and the sense of harmony with the universe that they offer.
I heard a story once of a holy man who radiated an unusual aura of inner peace and joy. An unearthly, almost celestial glow shone from his body, and attracted vast crowds who pursued him everywhere. They would call to him, "Are you a God?" "No." he would answer. "Are you an angel?" "No." "Are you a prophet?" finally he said, "No, I am simply awake."

Coincidences are everywhere and can happen any time. When your soul is ready, they will come. All that is required is that you open your heart.

Hello everyone,

I am looking for someone with Diabetic Neuropathy that would like to be a guest on my radio show September 30th.

If you would like to share your story with us, I want to talk with you.
Send me a note with your contact info on it and I will get back with you.

Looking forward to speaking with you soon.

~God Bless~
Coach Marla

by Barbara Johnson

Barbara has the wit of an Erma Bombeck. She is the founder of Spatula Ministries, a nonprofit organization designed to "peel parents off the ceiling with a spatula of love and begin them on the road to recovery."

Here is a blip from this book:

Recently, I was speaking somewhere and was told that I would be introduced by a lady who had never introduced anyone before. This dear gal practiced and practiced and even made a little tape of her introduction, which she played for me ahead of time to make sure she had everything right.

That night she came with a new hairdo and in a new dress complete with a corsage. The big moment arrived and she got up and said, "We're so glad to have Barbara Johnson with us. She's written a book and in that book there is a chapter called...." Her face got white and I could tell she had forgotten her whole speech, but she continued bravely, "...there is a chapter called 'Stick a Geranium in Your Cranium!"

I laughed so hard I could hardly begin my speech, but then I thought, "How appropriate!" She was trying to describe a chapter in 'Fresh Elastic for Stretched-Out Moms' called, "Stick a Geranium in Your Hat," which talks about using laughter and humor to make it through the nights and days that seems so endless when tragedy and pain occur. I've always liked the idea of facing problems by looking for the flowers, not the weeds. That's why 'Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy' became the title for this book. Maybe it isn't always quite that simple, but finding happiness and joy has to start somewhere, and I know it starts with a positive attitude.

One of cre8Buzzes very own will be sharing her incredible story with us on my Live Radio Show at 1:00pm CST. If you want to listen in, and I know you do, you can do so by going to http://www.rsdcoachlive.com and register for free so you can chat in the live chat room while we are on air. You will also be able to call in and speak with JoJo LIVE on the air. So if you want to send some love to JoJo, and we know you will, come see us on Tuesday July 29th.

Currently Recruiting: Dystonia and CRPS Study

Seeking Clinical Research Volunteers

Dystonia and CRPS Study

The NIH/NINDS is sponsoring an outpatient research study assessing patients with Focal Dystonia (FD). FD is a condition where specific movements of the hand trigger acute overactivity in muscles involved in the intended task and activity spreads to adjacent muscles that were supposed to be relaxed. We think the underlying reason of this condition is a lack of suppression of the unwanted muscle activity in the brain. In complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) without obvious nerve damage, dystonia-like muscle spasms can occur.

In a series of tests including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electromyography (EMG) and electroencephalography (EEG), individuals with FD, CRPS and both conditions in the upper or lower limb will be compared. Our goal is to find out more about the underlying mechanisms of both conditions. Studies are conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Inclusion criteria - patients

* Presence of FD/CRPS/CRPS and FD in one limb (upper or lower limb)
* Age 18 years or older

Exclusion criteria

* Any serious medical, surgical, neurological or psychiatric conditions
* Medications such as the following: antidepressants, anxiolytics,

anticonvulsants,antipsychotics,
antiparkinsonians, hypnotics,
stimulants, and antihistamines
(please tell the research doctor what you take, if anything)
* Presence of pacemaker, implanted medical pump, metal
plate or metal object in skull or eye
* History of seizure disorder
* Known history of hearing loss.
* Pregnancy
* Use of blood thinners other than a daily aspirin

There is no cost for participation. You will be compensated for research-related travel expenses. Time commitment consists of 5 visits.

For more information, call (301) 496 6388, Sandra C Beck, MD.

This study is carried out in compliance with testing and safety standards of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.