Ja-lene Clark

I am a wife, mom, and nana living in the beautiful state of Oklahoma. On my website, I offer my musings on spirituality, creativity, writing, family, and food.

Home » Faith

Faith

React with Awareness

Leave a Comment

The situation does not matter; my reaction is everything.

Do I let this situation take me on a loop of fear and worry? Or do I simply acknowledge its existence? I find it best for me to acknowledge, because that means I am not hiding, repressing, or pretending to be ignorant.

Yesterday, I was shocked to see a “wake” of turkey vultures feeding on a deer. At first, I felt disgust. But then I reflected: the vultures were not villains. They did not kill the deer; they were simply there doing their role, cleaning up. Vultures wait until something dies and then they fly in to clear the carcass. It sounds callous, but it is actually a beautiful system designed by God. I can imagine the vultures coming to me right now to eat away all the things that are dead inside me and that I am ready to let go of—like my fears and imaginings of potential monsters could be cleaned up and taken away forever.

I could have reacted to the vultures with distaste and disgust, but instead, I chose to react with awareness. I let the beauty of this terrible situation wash over me until I could see the majesty of God’s creation and feel peace.

Join me. Pause, reflect and let peace be with you.

Listen to this wonderful song from Avi Kaplan.

Are YOU Destined to Become a Visionary Writer?

Ja-lene Clark’s The Journey of the Visionary Writer: The Five Phases of Experiential Writing illuminates the path from idea to publication. Filled with brilliant insights and deeply personal stories, this book guides visionaries through the spiritual and emotional complexities of sharing their wisdom. Not a typical how-to, it’s a remarkably advanced, healing, and expansive journey.

Take the leap. Dare to share your wisdom. Purchase your copy today!

Order at Amazon

The Infinite Wonder of Words

2 Comments

Beyond definitions and dogma, what infinite wonder can we unlock when we truly listen to the words of others?

I have a book I’ve cherished for many, many years—truly, my favorite. Its paperback cover is tattered and worn, spine reinforced with tape to keep it from crumbling. When melancholy settles in, I simply pick it up, read a section, and without fail, my spirits lift.

The book is Arthur Gordon’s A Touch of Wonder: An Invitation to Fall In Love with Life. Arthur possessed an amazing ability to extract extraordinary insights from the simplest human experiences, distilling his wisdom into short essays. Most were written in the 1950s and 60s, originally published in Guideposts and Reader’s Digest. The world was vastly different then, yet his perspective remains timeless. When sadness calls, reading “The Stranger Who Taught Magic” or “The Answer” never fails to uplift me.

Prayer of a Writer

Lord of all things, whose wondrous gifts to man include the shining symbols known as words, grant that I may use their mighty power only for good. Help me to pass on small fragments of Your wisdom, truth and love. Teach me to touch the unseen, lonely heart with laughter, or the quick release of tears. Let me portray the courage that endures, defiant in the face of pain or death; the kindness and the gentleness of those who fight against the anger of the world; the beauty hidden in the smallest things; the mystery, the wonder of it all…

Open my ears, my eyes, unlock my heart. Speak through me, Lord, if it be Your will. Amen.

Ja-lene’s tattered copy of A Touch of Wonder by Arthur Gordon

I adore this prayer. Its power resonates deeply. “Let me use the mighty power of words only for good.” Beautiful. Yes. I will!

In the 50s and 60s, this prayer was absolutely perfect. Today, however, we face a challenge, particularly in traditional publishing. A publisher might actually debate if a single word in that prayer—”Lord”—could offend their targeted audience. Depending on the house, they might consider changing “Lord” to “God,” “Jesus,” “Christ,” “Universe,” “Source,” “Great Spirit”… a list of potential choices that could spark heated discussions and disagreements between editors and authors!

In my book, The Journey of the Visionary Writer, I share the importance of expressing a writer’s preferred term. If an author wants to use the word “Lord,” they should be free to do so. Honoring another person’s unique perspective is an act of respect. I want to know their uncensored truth. While I guide authors to ensure their message is clearly articulated, I refrain from insisting they alter their beliefs or conform to standards of cultural, religious, or political correctness for fear of marketplace rejection.

There is a better way forward. What if, when reading books or discussing spiritual beliefs, we simply respected one another’s point of view and listened without censoring? I may say “God” and you may say “Source,” but are we not truly referring to the same overarching presence? Does “God,” “Christ,” “Jesus,” “Buddha,” “The Universe,” “Source” truly prefer us to debate terminology? Have we reached an apex in human history where we can stop debating words and start seeking the intersection of our shared beliefs? I pray we have. Let’s use the shining symbols known as words for good!

“Some criticism, no doubt, is constructive, but too much is a subtle poison.”

― Arthur Gordon

Are YOU Destined to Become a Visionary Writer?

Ja-lene Clark’s The Journey of the Visionary Writer: The Five Phases of Experiential Writing illuminates the path from idea to publication. Filled with brilliant insights and deeply personal stories, this book guides visionaries through the spiritual and emotional complexities of sharing their wisdom. Not a typical how-to, it’s a remarkably advanced, healing, and expansive journey.

Take the leap. Dare to share your wisdom. Purchase your copy today!

Order at Amazon

Can I Live with Uncertainty?

2 Comments

Can I Live with Uncertainty?

That question weighs heavily on my mind and heart right now. For the past three years, I have been living with uncertainty.

This feeling arises from being categorized as “high-risk” for developing breast cancer. It all started three years ago when I received my first suspicious mammogram results. Two years ago, I underwent my first biopsy, followed by a lumpectomy, which revealed a precancerous mass and further classified me into that high-risk group.

The uncertainty is overwhelming: Will another mass appear? Will the upcoming tests reveal any changes or growth in the mass over the past six months? I truly don’t know. Over the last three years, I have undergone five rounds of testing. It is very likely that I will have to face the same process again, which includes a mammogram, a diagnostic mammogram, an MRI, and possibly a biopsy. I keep reminding myself that going through these tests does not automatically mean I have breast cancer. The reality is that I have not been diagnosed with breast cancer; I merely have markers that require monitoring every six months.

Three years of uncertainty is a long time. I feel very fortunate because, during a significant part of my journey, I had the opportunity to work with Tish Litchfield on her book, A Miracle Within You: Paddling Through Cancer. Tish has become such a dear friend, and her writing has been incredibly helpful to me. Reading her wisdom about how she managed her healing process, made decisions regarding her treatment, and maintained a positive outlook has made a positive impact on my attitude.

Once again, I find myself facing the gauntlet of the testing cycle. Despite all my efforts to stay positive, I am struggling with a sense of frustration regarding this in-depth monitoring process. Over the past six months, I’ve successfully managed to leave behind my fears and anxieties about the latest mass testing by focusing on joyful things, such as the trip Tom and I took to Greece and Albania, the birth of our eighth grandchild, beautiful Gemma, and my achievement in publishing The Journey of the Visionary Writer. However, despite my awareness, a cloud of uncertainty has returned, enveloping me like fog and making it difficult to concentrate on the positive aspects of life.

Is Uncertainty Contageous? 

Perhaps uncertainty is contagious right now, like a new virus. I’ve decided to stay neutral in politics since the death of my brother, Kurt; you could say I’m gray, neither blue nor red. Kurt inspired me to embrace this perspective.

From where I stand, uncertainty is like a virus spreading everywhere! The red side is celebrating the current administration’s new actions, but uncertainty is there because red is worried that a judge might block their actions and thwart what they see as beneficial changes. On the other hand, the blue side is uncertain how this county will survive because they view the changes being made as deeply harmful. I can see that when you mix blue with red, it creates a quagmire of uncertainty for both sides.

During our visit to Albania, Tom and I had the privilege of meeting local families at Berat Castle and in a 200-year-old home in Gjirokastër. I was surprised to learn that Albania was under communist rule from the 1940s until 1991. Enver Hoxha, who served as Prime Minister from 1941 to 1985, had also banned all religious practices in 1967 and seized the property of established Islamic, Orthodox, Catholic, and other churches in addition to the assets of its citizens.

We discovered that Albanians refer to their history as divided into three eras: before, during, and after communism. The uncertainty faced by these families when communism ended was profound. The government no longer repressed free speech or religious practices, and they were free to explore the path to God. Practically, the people had to learn how to earn a living and manage their bills without government support. Can you imagine the challenge when at least three generations had lived under communist rule to completely alter their culture?  While the Albanians’ lives were often meager, communism at least provided a way to meet their basic needs.

Man with dog at Gjirokastër, Albania, January 2025

Under communism, people needed special passes to visit nearby districts, and until 1990 the government banned private ownership of automobiles. Urban mass transit consisted primarily of bus lines for ferrying workers between home and work. Breakdowns in Tirana’s bus lines sometimes forced employees to walk to work or pay for rides in the beds of passing trucks. It’s astonishing to imagine how excited the citizens of Albania must have felt when they could purchase a car. However, the uncertainties of how to provide for their families loomed. I am grateful that I have never experienced the struggles of the Albanians.

Managing My Uncertainty 

Perhaps there is no escape from the uncertainty of politics in the United States, Albania or from my own struggles with the challenges of monitoring breast cancer. On some level, I acknowledge that I will always live with uncertainty. I understand that my thoughts about testing are guiding me in my efforts to transcend the seduction of uncertainty.

What works for me when I feel overwhelmed is listening to music through my AirPods. There’s something special about how the sound directly enters my mind and blocks out all outside noise and chatter, which helps shift my attitude. I understand the lyrics in a different way, almost as if the words become a private message meant just for me! Currently, the songs that help me move out of the funk caused by uncertainties are Priscilla Ahn’s “Dream,” Kacey Musgraves’ version of “Three Little Birds,” and “Surrendering” by Rachel Platten.

When I can’t escape from the “what if” worst scenarios from circling in my mind, I simply acknowledge those thoughts and gently remind myself that I am worrying about what “might be” and not what “is.” I pray to let those thoughts go.

I also vow to show up for all my appointments and testing even though the number of tests can be daunting. I do my best to let go of any expectations or fears about what may be discovered and avoid unnecessary worrying. I keep telling myself it is only necessary monitoring!

Can I Live with Uncertainty? Can you?

The truth is, we don’t have to! The challenge lies in not getting lost in a sea of uncertainties. I’ve come to understand that uncertainty stems from the fear of what might happen rather than from concern about what is happening right now. At this very moment, I feel wonderful and healthy! Who could ask for more? I realize that I can be completely CERTAIN that whatever challenges may be looming, worrying about them does my heart no good. Instead, I find that focusing on letting go and surrendering my uncertainties is the best thing for me.

“I deliberately breathe in life, and as I exhale, I release those anxious thoughts that do not serve me.”—Tish Litchfield, A Miracle Within You: Padding Through Cancer

Are YOU Destined to Become a Visionary Writer?

Ja-lene Clark’s The Journey of the Visionary Writer: The Five Phases of Experiential Writing illuminates the path from idea to publication. Filled with brilliant insights and deeply personal stories, this book guides visionaries through the spiritual and emotional complexities of sharing their wisdom. Not a typical how-to, it’s a remarkably advanced, healing, and expansive journey.

Take the leap. Dare to share your wisdom. Purchase your copy today!

Order at Amazon

When Lady Liberty Wept

4 Comments

The day Lady Liberty wept, I remember being at work and watching the towers fall on a tiny portable TV because that was the only office TV. One of my co-workers made a profound statement. She said, “Nothing will ever be the same.” I remember the office closing, and we all went home. I needed gas, and the lines were crazy because no one knew what would come, and the gas station had raised the price to $5 a gallon. I filled it up just in case.

I remember Walmart selling out of American flags.

All the TV stations stopped broadcasting and only showed the rescue efforts.

One month later, I visited New York City for the first time to attend a conference. On the Sunday before Halloween, my co-workers and I explored the city, walking down to Wall Street and the harbor. We got lost and unexpectedly found ourselves very close to Ground Zero.

The smell was awful. Just walking down that street made me feel dirty. The buildings were covered with soot, but oddly, the street was empty. Then we heard an angelic voice singing “God Bless America” acapella and it eerily echoed. We accidentally found ourselves at Ground Zero during the first memorial ceremony. It is one of the most profound memories of my life. I will never forget it.

I pray for all those we lost and for our police and firefighters, especially my son-in-law, Craig Coats, and sister-in-law, Melanie Arthurs Elliott.

We who lived through 9/11 must ensure that our children and grandchildren know what happened that day. Our children need to know the truth of history, untwisted by any momentary political rhetoric. The simple truth is that terrorists hijacked planes, attacked buildings, killed thousands, and forever changed America. We cannot afford to forget, for if we do, the terrorists have won.

God bless America and all first responders.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—John 8:32

Are YOU Destined to Become a Visionary Writer?

Ja-lene Clark’s The Journey of the Visionary Writer: The Five Phases of Experiential Writing illuminates the path from idea to publication. Filled with brilliant insights and deeply personal stories, this book guides visionaries through the spiritual and emotional complexities of sharing their wisdom. Not a typical how-to, it’s a remarkably advanced, healing, and expansive journey.

Take the leap. Dare to share your wisdom. Purchase your copy today!

Order at Amazon

Why is Unconditional Love So Confusing?

2 Comments

When was the term “unconditional love” coined? And why has this idea become so widespread that it’s now the expected, preferred, and seemingly “higher” way to love? I’ve been pondering this.

The mind does tricky things with words that begin with “un.”

Often, our brain doesn’t even consciously process the “un.” We typically see the core word first, understanding that the prefix signals an opposition or, more subtly, a lack. In English, “un” usually implies something is missing:

Unclean (lacks cleanliness)
Unhealthy (lacks health)
Untrue (lacks truth)
Unworthy (lacks worth)
So, Unconditionally (lacks conditions)

Ja-lene enjoys the company of her great-niece.

This linguistic nuance creates a fascinating paradox.

If “unconditionally” means “lacks conditions,” then to love unconditionally could literally be interpreted as a condition lacking love. The mind then struggles to reconcile this oppositional idea, striving to make sense of what feels like a contradiction. If our love truly has no conditions, then the concept of “unconditional” love becomes redundant, because the conditions never existed in the first place.

This leads to real-world confusion. Does “unconditional love” mean I should love everyone no matter what they do? If a family member struggles with mental illness or substance abuse, taking advantage of me, am I truly expected to love them “unconditionally,” invite them into my home, and ignore their harmful actions? Isn’t that behavior often labeled as codependent by professional therapists? Wait, I’m not supposed to be codependent, but I am supposed to be unconditionally loving, right? Where is that precise line between unconditional and codependent love?

This is profoundly confusing and creates all sorts of inner conflict, isn’t it? It makes me wonder if we even need “unconditional love” at all.

Here’s my point: Why do we feel the need to modify the word “love” to make it “bigger”? I believe love is expansive enough just as it is. The Beatles didn’t sing, “All You Need is Unconditional Love.” The 60s anthem wasn’t “What the World Needs Now is Unconditional Love.” And Jesus didn’t say unconditionally love one another… he said,

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” —John 13:34 KJV

Jesus was saying to love one another as God loves us. And, you might be interested to learn, the term “unconditional” is never actually used in the Bible.

After contemplating this deeply, I’ve decided to remove “unconditional love” from my vocabulary. Instead, I will simply just use and practice love—without any modification that might lessen that precious “L” word.

I love you!

Ja-lene

Are YOU Destined to Become a Visionary Writer?

Ja-lene Clark’s The Journey of the Visionary Writer: The Five Phases of Experiential Writing illuminates the path from idea to publication. Filled with brilliant insights and deeply personal stories, this book guides visionaries through the spiritual and emotional complexities of sharing their wisdom. Not a typical how-to, it’s a remarkably advanced, healing, and expansive journey.

Take the leap. Dare to share your wisdom. Purchase your copy today!

Order at Amazon

Mirror Reflections

1 Comment

In 1997, I attended an event in Tulsa where I heard don Miguel Ruiz speak for the first time. It was before he became a best-selling author. Council Oak could not schedule a book signing for him because no one knew who he was then.

Council Oak had just published Beyond Fear: A Toltec Guide to Freedom and Love, and Amber Allen had published The Four Agreements, but neither book had sold more than a couple thousand copies. Instead of a signing, Paulette Millichap, the publisher at Council Oak, arranged for her friends and the Council Oak employees to hear don Miguel’s teachings. We had a small gathering of less than 20 people at the home of Paulette’s friend, located close to Gilcrease Museum.

The Great Smokey Mirror

Don Miguel was a short man with a big smile, captivating eyes, and thick, gentle Spanish accent. The one thing he spoke about that caught my attention took me years to understand fully. It was the Great Smoky Mirror teaching, interpreted by don Miguel from the Toltecs. When he talked about the mirror, it made perfect sense, but it also confounded me at the same time.

In his book, The Four Agreements, he wrote: 

“This is what he discovered: Everything in existence is a manifestation of the one living being we call God. Everything is God. And he came to the conclusion that human perception is merely light perceiving light. He also saw that matter is a mirror—everything is a mirror that reflects light and creates images of that light—and the world of illusion, the Dream, is just like smoke which doesn’t allow us to see what we really are. The real us is pure love, pure light…’”

Don Miguel stated that every individual acts as a mirror for us and reflects something we need to see within ourselves. It took me six years to understand the essence of his teaching. I finally got it while I was editing and publishing The Toltec Prophecies of Don Miguel Ruiz, and I was able to apply it to my own life experiences.

Is it possible for me to believe that there are no victims in this world?

After meeting don Miguel, I realized that mirror metaphor is a universal concept that different teachers and authors reference. Some refer to it as the funhouse mirror, with the idea being that after reaching a plateau in our personal development, the funhouse mirror effects start to kick in and distort our perceptions. This effect can make things in your life appear exaggerated or distorted. For instance, with an actual funhouse mirror, people may seem closer or farther away than they actually are or appear to have two faces. However, that is just an illusion pointing us inward to a place we need to heal.

Although it seems complicated to accept, if we truly grasp this concept don Miguel was trying to express, we realize that when we take control of our lives and use our power wisely, we will no longer experience situations that make us feel helpless. By taking personal responsibility for all our life circumstances, we are no longer victims blaming others for our situations. And when we interact with others, we can remember that we each have our own individual, highly personal, great smokey mirrors to contend with that can cause confusion or division. Oddly, our reflections serve each other and can help both people grow beyond whatever is causing strife or indifference.

The Great Smokey Mirror is a challenging idea to apply to our everyday lives, especially when we witness suffering or the divisive nature of our world today. But if the world is a reflection of what is happening inside us, then we can also accept that we have the power to change our worldview, which, in turn, will forever change our perception of the world.

Pages 42-43 of the Toltec Prophecies of Don Miguel Ruiz by Mary Carol Nelson. Published when Ja-lene Clark served as Associate Publisher of Council Oak Books in 2003.

The Mirror of Self-Love

When I first left Council Oak and began to work freelance, a significant portion of my income came from conducting writer’s immersions—private, week-long writing sessions. Prior to each session, I signed a confidentiality agreement and cannot disclose the identities of the people I have worked with without permission.

I learned so much during my one-on-one sessions with writers. I realized that each of them faced unique challenges, and the focus of our work together was to help them overcome any resistance that was preventing them from effectively communicating their thoughts. Unfortunately, there is no guidebook that could have taught me how to handle this. It was a skill that I developed through experience and intuition.

During a session, I had the opportunity to work with a woman who was a singer and first-time writer. Despite being a well-traveled and fascinating person, she lacked confidence in her writing skills and struggled with self-doubt.

During our sessions, she made time to practice her music each day. She was passionate and confident while singing and performing, she was preparing for an upcoming performance, and was working on perfecting one song. I enjoyed the daily break from writing and seeing different facets of her. She was a new unconfident writer. As a singer, she loved being on stage! She was born to perform and did so amazingly. When she sang, she lit up and her confidence shined, and that was light years from the woman I had been sitting with who was hesitant about writing a sentence.

I had an idea. I asked her to start singing or speaking the text of her chapters so we could we videotape her discussing what she wanted to include in the book. This was a breakthrough! She loved being on stage and in front of the camera, so that was the place where she was most at home in her creative element. This practice of singing and being on camera helped her start to uncover her voice as a writer and build her confidence in this arena.

On the final day of our immersion, while I watched her practice the song she had practiced all week, I knew what would free her to write on her own once I left. I snuck out of the room and came back, hiding a mirror. When the pianist left, and she and I were alone, I asked her to sing the song one more time, a cappella.

I gave her the mirror and told her to sing the song while looking in the mirror and to replace the word “him” with me. The transformation was instant. I will never forget that moment. The song she had been practicing all week was from Jesus Christ Superstar. This was the song that Mary Magdalene sang about being with Jesus. It only took the first several words for her to “get it.” She sang to her own reflection the lyrics:

“I don’t know how to love ME.”

It’s true that one of the hardest things to do is self-love. But self-love brings confidence and confidence helps us believe in our own abilities and share what we have to offer with others. We live with that person who is looking back at us in the mirror every single moment. I know everything about me, and so I can’t hide from my sorrows, secrets, vulnerabilities, shame, woes, bitterness, and regrets. When we reconcile with ourselves and shine “love me” out into the universe, then our lives begin to transform. It must transform. Why? Because the things that were once reflecting back to us that were buried inside have vanished. No more smoke in the mirror, no more funhouse distortions, and new experiences abound.

Have you ever looked into your own eyes and felt love for you?

Stop for just a moment. Grab a mirror, then come back to this post and press the play button on Frank Sinatra’s song. Replace the word “you” with “me” or “I” as you hear the song. This is a simple, profound experience that will just take a moment to transform your world.

Around the world I’ve searched for ME
I traveled on when hope was gone to keep a rendezvous
I knew somewhere, sometime, somehow
I’d look at ME and I would see the smile I’m smiling now

It might have been in County Down
Or in New York, in gay Paree, or even London town
No more will I go all around the world
For I have found my world in ME

“..for God gave us a spirit NOT of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

—2 Timothy 1:7

Are YOU Destined to Become a Visionary Writer?

Ja-lene Clark’s The Journey of the Visionary Writer: The Five Phases of Experiential Writing illuminates the path from idea to publication. Filled with brilliant insights and deeply personal stories, this book guides visionaries through the spiritual and emotional complexities of sharing their wisdom. Not a typical how-to, it’s a remarkably advanced, healing, and expansive journey.

Take the leap. Dare to share your wisdom. Purchase your copy today!

Order at Amazon