Based on self-knowledge and understanding, Searching Within explores human nature, provides everyday anecdotal examples, and shows us how to open our energy field where all things are inherently connected. Doris Ann Bridgehouse’s life-altering story/meditation themes enable her readers to work through their problems and discover their truth.  

Bask in the moment and learn: 

 How to love

To listen attentively

The power of the inner voice

How to explore forgiveness

The difference between a psychological moment and true feeling

The wrath of the hungry-ghost

Karma

Nature’s natural order

How to undo the stuff that depletes one’s spirit

And much more…

Excerpt from Chapter VII:

Love comforts the magic hidden in the human heart.

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 WHAT LOVE IS NOT

Everyone is fascinated with the word love. There are movies, songs, and all types of sonnets that express the joys and torment associated with love. For within all humans, there dwells a powerful force of an instinctual nature to reach out and touch and be touched by someone. We want this so passionately, emotionally, and physically we are easily led in the wrong direction.

And the ironic contradiction is how many of us have or had love in our lives where we have kneaded and pulled at it like a wad of doe until it no longer resembles the love we once enjoyed.

But before I can define love, I must ask “what love is not.” Love is not romance or a fantasy. Love is not a sensation. Love is not infatuation. In the beginning of a relationship, we become attracted to individuals who appear to be the ideal. And we put on rose colored glasses to see what we want to believe. Take a minute and ask your spirit if the person in your life is right for you. Behold an individual’s personality and ethical differences with clarity. Otherwise, you may live a life parallel to a Greek tragedy.

Example: Infatuation 

When I was a teenager, I worked in the housekeeping department at the Lying-In-Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island (presently called Women and Infants). I had a tremendous crush on a college student. Secretly, I called him blue eyes. I thought of him every minute. Each time I saw him, I would float on cloud nine. For one year, I kept my secret passion to myself until Sharon, a co-worker, noticed me staring at Bradley. She cleverly confronted me and I was too naïve to resist chiming my story. 

About a month later, Bradley, asked me to go to a movie. I could feel my face turn red and I literally thought I was going to explode. I stuttered and mumbled something. When he asked me to repeat what I had said. I could not speak. It seemed as though my throat was in a winch. I forced myself to look into his wonderful blue eyes. He eyes danced and his smile told me he was enjoying my plight. From that moment, I knew Sharon told him I liked him.

I took a deep breath and told him no. He was not happy. To my surprise, he tried to bully me into going out with him. I smiled and told him I appreciated the invite, but my parents would not allow me date him since he was much older. I told him my age. His face softened and I could tell my statement saved him from embarrassment.

At one time, I thought if I was ever going to fall in love it would be with Bradley. But after being confronted by the real Bradley, I realized I was temporarily insane. I transferred what I thought was the idealistic guy into hero-worshiping.

I admit seeing him walk in the corridor still highlighted my days and his smile gave my heart a thrill. Although, after relating to the real Bradley, I lost the dreamy fascination of him. 

© Doris Ann Bridgehouse