Life a Spiritual Journey: Observing Life from the Viewpoint of Soul

By Betty Jane Rapin

Betty Jane Rapin is a freelance writer who has published more than 250 articles, essays, stories, and poetry in magazines, newspapers, newsletters, Web sites, and three anthologies. She is the author of Dreams Designed by God for You, a study guide
and workbook. Besides being a published writer, she is a minister, spiritual teacher, adult education teacher, a workshop facilitator, and inspirational and motivational speaker. Betty has appeared on many radio and television
talk shows where she has been interviewed about her personal
experiences with dreams, out-of-boy travel, near-death experiences, reincarnation, and many other related spiritual topics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 24, 2010
• ISBN: 9781450083676

Betty Jane Rapin

Betty Jane Rapin is a freelance writer who has published more than 250 articles, essays, stories, and poetry in magazines, newspapers, newsletters, Web sites, and three anthologies. She is the author of Dreams Designed by God for You, a study guide and workbook. Besides being a published writer, she is a minister, spiritual teacher, and adult education teacher, and workshop facilitator, inspirational and motivational speaker. Betty has appeared in many radio and television talk shows where she has been interviewed about her personal experiences with dreams, out-of-boy travel, near-death experiences, reincarnation, and many other related spiritual topics.

Book preview

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Preface

Introduction

The Butterfly Symbol

Chapter One—Journey of Life

Gifts from Life.

A Gift from the Heart

The Journey Begins

Dramatic Changes

Looking for Answers

Seasons of Life

Adieu to Autumn Leaves

University of Life

One Precious Jewel

Enjoy the Game

Call of Soul

The Secret Garden

Why Are We Here?

What I Discovered

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Two—Contact with God

Reach out to God.

In the Presence of God

A Special Moment in Time

Language of God

Feather Gift

Light and Sound of God

Many Names of God

Whisperings of the Heart

Nearness of HU

A Warrior of God

Always Sing HU

Signs from God

How Do We Know?

What I Learned

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Three—Messengers of God

Messengers of God

Kissed by an Angel

My Guardian Angel

A Helping Hand

Visiting Heaven

Walking on Sacred Ground

Heavenly Assurance

A Visitor in the Night

God Is with You

Open the Heart

Sunshine of My Life

Do We Need a Guide?

What I Realized

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Four—Karma and Past Lives

Another Time and Place

A Past Life Revealed

The Law of Karma

Boomerang Effect of Karma

Book of Life

Welcoming a New Year

The Viking Parent

In the Grasp of God’s Love

A Motto to Live By

Garden of My Life

Partners in Life

What Can We Do?

What I Came Across

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Five—Dreams and Journals

Doorway to Discovery

Diary of My Dreams

Dream Visit

Gift from God

The Mocha-Skinned Woman

Waking Dreams

Living in the Moment

Open Your Gift

My Love Is a Photograph

I Wonder and Hope

A Dream Come True

What Steps Do We Take?

What I Now Know

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Six—A Spiritualized Consciousness

Contemplation

A Spiritual Point of View

The Window of Soul

My Spiritual Eye

Soul Exploring

A Skill to Learn

A Spiritual Exercise to Try

On the Wings of Music

I Am Lost; Find Me!

Be Still, My Mind

Going Home

How Can We Raise Consciousness?

What I Revealed to You

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Seven—Challenges and Choices

Path to Wise Choices

Facing Challenges

Child Within

Motherhood

A Loving Heart

Teenage Mom

Free Will

Because of Me

Duality of Challenges

Stepping-Stones

Choices Open Gates

When We Pick and Choose

What I Found

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Eight—Hope and Faith

Dove of Peace

The Rainbow

Having Hope

Moving Mountains

Life in Harmony

Awakening of Soul

Foundations of Faith

Viewpoint of Hope

Learning from Life

In God I Trust

Greetings from God

When We Hope with Faith

What I Confirmed

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Nine—Love and Gratitude

What Is Love?

Mission of Soul

A Spiritual Embrace

Giving Thanks

Released from Myself

Divine Love

A Special Place

Loving Knowingness

Grateful Heart

Change Your World

Armor of Love

When We Love with Gratitude

What I Understand?

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Ten—Happiness and Humor

A New Beginning

My Search for Happiness

Contentment

Sounds of Laugher

Dear Family

Years Take Their Toll

Weathering Appetite

Animal Soul

Skippy

The Funny Side of Life

Cry If You Must

Why Humor Brings Happiness

What I Established

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Eleven—Giving and Receiving

From the Heart

Act of Kindness

Hugs and Kisses

A Simple Gesture

Giving Back and Forward

Necessity of Discrimination

Intuition: Intercom to God

My Spiritual Project

My Expression of Thanks

Gifts That Keep Giving

My Spiritual Toolbox

When We Give, We Receive

What I Observe

Contemplative Quotes

Chapter Twelve—Death and New Beginnings

Bridge to Heaven

Love’s Gentle Touch

The Sting of Death

Rainbow Bridge

Angel Escort

Within the Shadows

Death: A Translation

Good-bye, Friend

Authoring Your Book

New Beginnings

Writing a Healing

When We Can’t Let Go

What I Appreciate

Contemplative Quotes

Conclusion

About the Author

Bibliography

Dedication 

I dedicate this book to all who are looking for the right

direction to take on the present path of their spiritual

journey. Happy travels! 

Acknowledgment

Much love with a grateful heart to my dear husband Richard for his patience, support, and willingness to spend much time alone while I pursue my passion of writing. 

Thanks to my family and friend’s whose encouragement gave me confidence in my ability to write this book. Especially to Judy who recently published several books of poetry. Her accomplishment inspired me to switch from writing the book I had intended to write and focus on this book of poetry, Life: A Spiritual Journey.

Preface

I began writing when I was eight years old. The writing was about things that I experienced during the day, and later I began to add my thoughts and feeling about these events. It was the same as keeping a diary, except my pages of yellow tablet paper were kept in a shoebox, not neatly written in a journal. 

When I was, about twelve my writing began to rhyme, and I decided that I was a poet. So began the arduous task of trying to find words that rhymed. I found this focus on the need to create rhyming words for a poem was interfering with my writing. My usual continuous train of thought was no longer the uninterrupted flowing words, which I strung together to create a story. It now had become an effort for me to write anything. 

Therefore, my dilemma was how I could write rhyming words without stopping my thought process of creative writing. I was not aware of any books available in 1943 that would help me write poetry, and if there were, I never thought to look for one. 

Then one day I got an idea. I created a game for myself where I would take a word and see how many other words I could think of that would rhyme with it. It was a great educational pastime for me. In addition, it worked. When I wanted to write a poem about a particular subject, I was able to do so with little effort. Moreover, if I wanted to write a story, I could also do that—shift my consciousness gears to fit the project I was presently working on. 

One day, my father was reading the daily newspaper while I was sitting on the living room sofa, listening to the radio (no television then), and Mother was crocheting. I happened to glance up at the paper and saw written in big letters, Poets Needed. 

When my dad put the paper down, I asked if I could cut out the part that I wanted, and he said it was okay. The advertisement was a contest for those who wanted to have their poems published, if they were accepted. I never said a word to anyone, just kept this happy little secret to myself in hopes that I would win a place in the book.

A few weeks later, a letter arrived from Haven Press Publishers. I was a winner! A winner along with four hundred and some other poets whose works were chosen to appear in Rhyme ‘n’ Rhythm Songwriters and Poets of Today published in 1947 by the Haven Press. 

I was a published writer of two works of poetry at the age of sixteen in a five-hundred-ninety-three-page book. I still have the two-paragraph story that appeared in two local newspapers. The title was one word, Winner! followed by a brief biography about me. 

The book was in the designing phase, and in six to eight weeks, it would be ready for publication. What a bummer! I spent the next weeks in great anticipation and jubilation. It was difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that I was now a published writer. I daydreamed of the moment I would see my writing in a book. 

When the book finally did arrive in the mail, just holding the package caused my heart to beat faster, my pulse to quicken, and happiness to surge through my entire body like electricity. I was ecstatic! When I found the page with my poems and my name in print, I sighed with contentment, as I thought, I am a published writer. I smiled, so very pleased with my accomplishment. Thus began my serious journey as a writer who later realized life was actually a spiritual journey. 

The following poems written from the creative consciousness of a teenager are as exactly as they appeared in the book Rhyme ‘n’ Rhythm.

A Trip in Space

If I should take a trip in a big rocket ship,

And leaving no marks or trace, I’d sail up into space.

I wonder if I’d discover what makes the sun shine bright,

And what makes the stars come out at night?

And maybe I would learn why the moon is big and round

And why we cannot touch the sky when we are on the ground.

If I visited a planet or two,

I wonder if I’d find creatures that resemble me and you.

Or creatures that are ugly, disfigured, and small.

Creatures that we would not believe could exist at all.

Possibly I would take a walk on the Milky Way

And stop to chat with the fairies as they sing and play.

Then if by any chance a rainbow should unfold, I’d slide to the bottom and find a pot of gold. I would then bring it home and live like a queen,

But! Oh! What good can come of any dream? 

My Dearest Darling

My dearest darling, it’s hard for me to say

How much I have missed you since I have been away.

Your each and every feature is as I pictured in my dream,

Your hair is still as golden as the shining sunbeams.

Your eyes are just as blue as the sky that’s up above,

And I hope that why they’re shining is because of our love,

Your lips are soft and tender like velvet at a touch,

And the more I look at you, I love you just as much.

Your cheeks are just as rosy, as the rose that’s in your hair,

Your skin is soft and lovely; no other can compare.

You’re still as sweet as ever as I hold you in my arms,

And my heart beats twice as fast, because of all your charms.

Just let me hold you and tell you with my lips

How much I have missed you and longed for your kiss.

Look at me and tell me that you’ll never, never change,

For it will be hard for my dreams to be rearranged.

Please tell me that you love me, and all I’ve dreamed is true,

Because, my dearest darling, I love no one but you.

Introduction

This is a self-help book on how to observe life as Soul. It contains some of what I learned on my journey of life that I hope will explain how you too can also glean beneficial knowledge while on your present life’s journey. 

Informative knowledge as viewed from a higher level of consciousness becomes spiritual awareness. This awareness when applied to daily life turns our normal way