Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Where is Your Heart Leading You?

Clock base

An old friend of mine who happens to be a monk in France, but I met in New Mexico when I was living in a monastery , told me, "When you truly desire something with all your heart and soul, have prayed about it deeply, and believe in utter certainty that it can be yours- place it on the altar knowing that your desire will be granted."

I still believe his message.

I also believed that having a desire of that magnitude isn't the same as wanting something you like, or might want to change in a week or two. Furthermore, I believe that if you truly desire something with your entire heart and soul, it will come to you. Though maybe not exactly the way you think it will. 

 

Waiting

Another friend of mine, a childhood friend named Shelley has lived with ALS for the last fourteen years. Though she is completely paralyzed, on a breath machine, and has a hard time talking. Yet she is full of life. Shelley desires to live. I believe she has placed her desire on the altar and though she isn't running around from antique store to antique store like I know she would love to, she lives with her illness and accepts the beauty of life as it is.

Courage to live within the boundaries. Accepting her life as a miracle even if it isn't exactly as she would want it. I believe her prayer has been heard: To live and see her children reach their goals.

What courage! What motivation!

Isn't that the beauty of truth. To hold on to the life we have and make the most of it, while putting our purest desires on the altar.

What do we long for? Truly desire? Believe can be ours?

 

French painting

 

 

For some it is knowing what they want, or believing that their desires can come true. Then again maybe some of us are not willing to pay the price that our desire might bring. Life is rarely simple, and the options are many.

I like to say to myself, "If I cannot believe in my desires I can at least close my eyes and imagine them true for five minutes a day."

Imagination helps. But faith/love is my rock.

 

Trianon-interior

Tapping the Power of Dreams

Jung's Man and His Symbols

Listen: Songs of Prayer

Faith: Trusting your Own Deepest Experience

 

Where is your heart leading you?

 

Comments

26 responses to “Where is Your Heart Leading You?”

  1. Laurie SF

    Placing my desire on the altar with a possible move to New York in the Spring.

    Reply
  2. Tongue in Cheek

    Oh my Laurie!!!

    Reply
  3. Franca Bollo

    I don’t even know you but I’m so excited by this! Channeling Jean-Luc Picard I say, “Make it so”.

    Reply
  4. Marilyn

    Your words are so true!
    I prayed for a grandchild, only one would do, and on October 1st he was born. There are other heart desires there too, but I do BELIEVE.

    Reply
  5. Shelley Noble

    You know so much, Corey.

    Reply
  6. Tongue in Cheek

    Wonderful news Marilyn!

    Reply
  7. Tongue in Cheek

    HEY fB
    Laurie grew up in Willows…. Mark’s class I think.
    C

    Reply
  8. Jeannie

    I have my hopes and wishes set upon the altar I have made to my female ancestors. They moved from what was known to a land where they were alone. Their spirit lives on inside of me. When I think something is too hard, or I can’t go on, I think of them and the millions of others like them. They give me strength and courage. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Chris Wittmann

    Welcome home Corey! I’ve been busy with holiday preps and not on your blog much, but will have to catch up 🙂 I think my only desire at this stage of my life is for the security and safety of our nation. I have not felt that for a very long time.

    Reply
  10. Ann X

    I truly believe in this, Corey, all my life is a proof of this. The only thing is – when all desires are fulfilled, life becomes quite boring, you know. 😀 Then you just make new desires to keep going but I do realise now that new ones are much smaller and not actually worth to be fulfilled.

    Reply
  11. WR

    That is exactly how we came to own a home in France…

    Reply
  12. g

    corey this is one of those posts i am going to POUR over and disect and reflect on beyond what is probably normal or healthy because with all my soul heart and being i believe this yet i have some disconnect somewhere in the continuum-i have been pondering this very issue for a VERY LONG TIME-so my comment is i need time to think about this awesome concept!

    Reply
  13. Pamela RG

    This is so uplifting! You touch the heart and soul of so many. May God bless you! Please say Thanks to your Monk friend for sharing that wonderful and effective secret! I Believe!

    Reply
  14. Diogenes

    Dear Corey,
    I always enjoy hearing news about your friend Shelley, as well as your neighbor Annie.
    And now, as usual, I am off topic. First, I love that new picture of you. It’s great. Second, is that Empire candelabra, in the last picture, in your home? ‘Cause that thing is awesome.

    Reply
  15. Ana Maria

    Today again you have brought tears to my eyes.
    I forwarded your message to my three children and to a special godchild painfully going through divorce. She keeps wanting to fight every day and has difficulty understanding when to let go – and let God.
    My grandchildren have been the answer to my prayers. When Max hugs me and says, “I love you in my heart!”, every pain and ache is forgotten. (Lucas doesn’t say anything yet, he just runs around the house grabbing all my brocante treasures! 🙂

    Reply
  16. peggy aplSEEDS

    what a beautiful post. and what an inspiration your friend Shelley is. reminds me of a song i posted recently in my blog – http://peggyapl.blogspot.com/2012/11/inspire-me-monday-mercies-in-disguise.html
    thank you for sharing, Corey!

    Reply
  17. Lia

    Rich is life with you in it
    x
    i desire life
    my children
    my granddaughter
    my family and friends
    my love
    the loving that I have to give and receive.

    Reply
  18. 24/7 in France

    Desire-Dream-Belief: This is exactly how & why I now live in France, with my journey to be featured in a book being published soon. Thanks for your beautiful post.

    Reply
  19. 24/7 in France

    Desire-Dream-Belief: This is exactly how & why I now live in France, with the story of my journey to be featured in a book being published soon.

    Reply
  20. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Diogenes,
    If I did it would go right in you home!
    But unfortunately a woman called Marie Antoinette owned it. It resides in the Trianon in Versailles.
    c

    Reply
  21. Paulita

    I’m always amazed by other people’s bravery. Your friend Shelley is an inspiration. I saw a shooting star the other morning, and I couldn’t even think of anything to wish for. The next one I see if for Shelley.

    Reply
  22. Debra

    Corey, when I pulled up your blog I saw your new picture; it made me want to reach into cyber space and give you a big hug. Then, I read your post. You are such a rock for me; a great friend whom I haven’t even met. I admit to being a little lonely watching my children grow up and leave the nest; I miss the days gone by. Now what? I am trying to figure it all out. I try to remind myself each day to give it to God, so thanks for a truely awesome reminder in this post. xo

    Reply
  23. peggy braswell

    I am so grateful for Believing + the altar! We are never finished with createing! Wise Words from a Wise Woman. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  24. Laurie SF

    Hah! Mark was much older than I…

    Reply
  25. Mim

    Your friend Shelley must be an amazing person.Amazing!

    Reply
  26. Sharon Penney-Morrison

    I have had many dreams come true that I placed at the Savior’s feet. “If you have a dream, and it does not go away, then it will be.”
    We have been told that we will have the desires of our heart. I believe this is only true if it is embedded in your soul.

    Reply

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