Recently, Melissa and I went on a little trip.
Okay, it was actually a big trip.
For two and a half months, we lived in our van while we traveled around the country, doing inspirational talks and music at spiritual centers. It was a huge adventure, one that continues to bless us with lessons and insights.
But one insight in particular continues to reverberate in my mind and heart.
Before our trip, I had never been to the Grand Canyon. I’d seen the pictures. I knew that the Southwest portion of the United States has a Big Hole in it, one that’s been known to inspire and delight those who get the chance to see it.
In the process of booking our trip, we were fortunate enough to get a camping spot on the rim of the Big Hole. Needless to say, I was excited.
I’ve never been one for bucket lists, but if forced to come up with one, it would look like this:
I was about to knock off half my bucket list in one visit! How cool is that?!
As Melissa and I drove into Grand Canyon National Park, the anticipation began to build. We were here! In the land of the Big Hole!
Finally, the canyon came into view. We stopped the car and took a look.
I’ll admit, I was a bit self-conscious.
I was seeing the Grand Canyon! It was happening! Luckily, my self-consciousness didn’t get in the way of the impact of the experience.
It was the most astounding thing I’d ever witnessed.
The Big Hole was, as promised, humongous. It was so big, I couldn’t simply look at it. I had to turn my head from side to side to take it all in. As I did so, trying to process what I was witnessing, I thought of the years it took for water to carve the land. I thought of the small speck of time I was occupying in this centuries-long process. I was tiny and the canyon was vast, and somehow this awareness calmed me.
We camped at the Grand Canyon for five days. Every day, we went to the rim of the Canyon to take a look. Every day, it looked a little different. And every day, I let its vastness into my soul in a new way.
Including this way:
Part of my morning practice involves claiming and affirming new good into my life. I claim this good in five areas: spirituality, health, relationships, vocation, and abundance. As I open to this new good, I visualize how it might look and feel.
The Grand Canyon gave me both a new visual and a new feeling state for opening to good.
How much abundance is available to me?
Enough to fill the Grand Canyon.
How much love is available to me?
Enough to fill the Grand Canyon.
And how much abundance and love do I have to share with the world?
Enough to fill the Grand Canyon.
Now, whenever I feel stuck in lack and limitation, I know what to do:
Picture the Big Hole!
I guess that’s why my bucket list only needed two items. My visit to the Grand Canyon fundamentally changed me. It expanded my visceral understanding of what is possible. It allowed me to relax into the abundance of gifts the Universe has in store. It showed me the enormity of what I can receive – and give.
I wonder what will happen when I go to Amsterdam!
Have you seen the Grand Canyon? How did it impact you? Share your comments below!
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And when the Grand Canyon has been filled to ‘normal’,
How about: enough to fill the Grand Canyon, pressed down and running over.
Love ya both.
P.S. Thanks. I needed that about now. And I also needed to remember that whatever is
happening, it’s all good.
Hi Becky! Yes – love the pressed down and running over the Grand Canyon. Yeah! We love you too!! XOZ
Years ago, when I went to the Grand Canyon with friends, I asked us all to lay on the ground and look at the sky, in about 5-7 minutes we all felt something happen… the earth moved… and us with it. For me at that moment I realized how small (physically) I was in relationship to the whole universe… and whatever issues I might have had at the moment were also SMALL compared to the vastness of the Universe… so it was letting go of those things that did not serve me and to realize I could live in the BIGNESS of the Universe instead.
Happy New Year to you both… Much Love!
Hi Rev Suzette,
Wow, I love this. Thank you so much for sharing this story. So Beautiful and so True!
Happy New Year to you!!
XOXOZ
I have been to both. Both have their virtues but the Grand Canyon is the grandest.
Hi Linda,
Yes, I’m glad I got the Canyon in. Even if I never make it to Amsterdam, the Canyon was at the top of the list!
Happy New Year!
XOZ
Hello Z (and Mel): So glad you went!!!!
For a few months now I have had a white-ish rock/small boulder in my front yard. I was told that it was Onix mined in the Grand Canyon area. I take note of it every time I go by and guess what I am seeing – more than the rock itself. Also reminds me of the beautiful trip my late husband John and I took there; sure reminds me of the passing of time. Live now, every moment!
Love to you both. Lilo/Liesel
Hi Lilo/Liesel,
This is so beautiful. I love that you have a piece of the Grand Canyon – and the visit you took with your husband – in your front yard. And thank you for the reminder to appreciate every moment – now!!
XOZ
Beautiful experience as you have described and definitely, a “Power Greater than Ourselves!”
Hi Michael,
Yes, for sure! It really put everything in perspective!
XOZ
The Grand Canyon is on my list of places to visit. I considered it for 2021 and then talked myself out of going. I am inspired by your revelation of abundance in the various life categories and can see myself embracing an expansion in consciousness.
I visited Amsterdam – actually it was a 6-hour layover on the way to Egypt. During the layover, our tour guide put together a bus tour with some sightseeing stops along the way. I have an intention to return to visit some of the museums and see more of the countryside.
Hi Rev Robert!
Yes, I would definitely recommend seeing the Grand Canyon when the time is right. And I love that you’ve been to Amsterdam. Between the two of us, we’ve covered my bucket list. 🙂
Big Blessings and Happy New Year to you!
XOZ
I now have a visual for my morning affirmations—-a vastness in which to fling every unwanted, negative thought and belief and watch it disappear forever!
Next— maybe Niagara Falls?
for the ultimate cleansing!
Curious why Amsterdam….?
Love and esteem both of you 💞
Hi Irene!
Ooooooh. I love that – Niagara Falls would clean everything unwanted outta there!!
Amsterdam is partly just a feeling of wanting to go there. Also I know that they speak English there, so there’s less language barrier than other places. And it seems like there would be more room for an acceptance of a gender-rich individual such as myself. 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
BIG Love,
Z
I loved your Grand Canyon experience! What a great way to look at it I saw it many years ago when I was a kid. I want to go again!
I’ve got your card oh my God up on my fridge!
Hi Billy,
Wonderful to hear from you! That’s cool that you got to go there as a kid – at least, it sounds cool to me! 🙂 I would definitely recommend going again – it’s quite a place!
Happy New Year!
XOZ