Blogs - Prayables Team Blog

The Truth About Ugly Pumpkins

I love pumpkin: pie, seeds, bread, and soup.

Just like the ugly scarecrow and the ugly gargoyle, the ugly jack-o-lantern was designed to "ward off evil spirits." I always thought this was a hilarious approach: ward off evil with an ugly decoy! Does that make sense to you?

I prefer the idea of warding off evil with its opposite. What's the opposite of evil?

Good, decent, courteous. There's no need to fear darkness. Or even respond to it. We dispel ugliness by being beautiful.

I once worked with a woman who celebrated her feminine beauty every day. She didn't wait for Halloween to dress up as something exciting. She didn't need permission, excuses or an invitation to a Masquerade Ball to let her glorious self shine 'til you squinted. She had a wild laugh, lioness hair, ooh-la-la shoes and an overall cayenne approach to life that I admired. Eva took great care of her mom when she was in cancer treatment, she raised two sons mostly as a single Mom, and she was savvy enough to invest in real estate. And did I mention that she could tear up a salsa dance floor?

Eva's cup was so full of good deeds, festivities and adornments that made everyone smile, she raised the atmosphere of wherever she was. I think of Eva as an example of embodying the Light of my Creator, and seeing every day as a special occasion to shine.

I Will Fear No Evil

If I let the morning headlines
or the evening news
have the last word;
If I let money challenges
or health scares
have the last word;
If I let the envy
or judgment of others
have the last word;
I might not be inspired
to leap out of bed.
But fortunately,
I'm plugged in to You.
Direct access to peace
that transcends understanding
and eliminates confusion.
With You I have no need
of luck or superstition.
You promise goodness and mercy
to follow me all the days of my life,
and I believe You.

-Erika Harris

About Erika Harris