I Choose Once Again

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Choose once again

I enjoyed role playing at today’s “A Consciousness of Joy” class, and also laughing at what other groups came up with to illustrate how people’s perceptions impact their responses. It’s crazy and violent how people can get when they let their egos run rampant not knowing all sides to a situation. When we step into another’s shoes, it’s easier to become understanding, compassionate, and kind since we can relate to an experience of human beingness.

We always have a choice as to how we respond to a situation. I can take on a negative perspective and go down the rabbit hole with it. Or, I can choose to see the blessing in what’s happening, and climb into an upward spiral. I keep vigilant with my monkey mind. I take a breath, come back to the present moment, and re-think “Do I want to be miserable or happy?”

“You always choose between your weakness and the strength of Christ in you.”
– A Course in Miracles, T-31.VIII.2.3

When I remember Spirit is my foundation, my core, within me, within you, always present, everywhere, I rest easy with what’s happening in life. It’s all so fleeting anyway, isn’t it? So how important is it? I strive to stay in the present moment and focused on Spirit. That is what’s important when all is said and done, the One Power.

I always have a choice. And, if I veer off the path of the loving way, I correct course and choose once again.

And so it is.

In the Still of the Night

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In the Still of the Night

Yesterday I blogged about my learning Spiritual Mind Treatment, an integral part of the Science of Mind philosophy. In the still of the night, a Spiritual Mind Treatment came to me with ease and grace—and I hadn’t even asked for it. In fact, I’d been asleep and I was awakened!

I’ve been in my rental house here in Prescott for six months now and have not replaced the three (!) different-sized HVAC filters for which I am tasked with the responsibility. The ceilings are high, and even though I bought a taller step stool, it is still not sufficient for me, at my height, to safely reach the vents and do the maintenance. Through the years of living alone, I’ve never bought a ‘real’ ladder and managed to get by. Now, however, it appears perhaps that run is over.

I still haven’t made any close friends nor know the neighbors; I could try to find a handyman. But really, the filters need to be changed every month or two, and that could be inconvenient and costly. Not knowing anyone nearby to lend me a ladder, I’m open to purchasing one, finally. But then there’s the issue of getting it home since I own a Camry. On and on the saga goes, with my brainstorming and my monkey mind having fun.

With embracing New Thought philosophy at a deeper level and trusting in God’s care more and more of late, I rested peacefully last night despite this concern. Then, Spirit imparted to me a Treatment to use to get a matter as mundane as installing HVAC filters handled!

It went something like this:

Recognition (God is)—There is One Power in the Universe—Spirit—One ever-present Force for Good that is in charge of everything, including my life and all that transpires in it and through me. Spirit is my Source and Provider of perfect health and safety.

Unification (I am)—I am one with Spirit, have all the attributes Spirit, and am one with all other beings.

Realization/Declaration (I accept; I affirm)—I accept and affirm that Spirit is in charge, and anything that is of concern to me, is known to It and Spirit is only too happy to help me be rid of concerns. I accept and affirm Spirit provides me with perfect health, safe living conditions, and pure air to breathe within my home. I accept and affirm Spirit has the means so that the measurements of all three HVAC air filters can be obtained; the filters are purchased easily, and they are safely installed. I accept and affirm Spirit will make known to me any role I might need to play in this unfolding. I accept and affirm Spirit has me live joyously, peacefully, and in perfect health.

Acceptance/Thanksgiving (I give thanks)—Right here and right now I am filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for knowing the truth about Spirit and myself. I am grateful and give thanks for receiving pure air to breathe in my home and perfect health to enjoy.

Release (I let go and let God)—With complete faith and trust, I release these words out to the Universe, knowing it is so and done now. And so it is.

I’m not sure I got the Treatment right and will check with a spiritual mentor. But I do know that this practice has contributed to my deepening spirituality and connection with God. It has been an uplifting experience and I am excited to see how things manifest. I am most grateful.

Learning Spiritual Mind Treatment

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stones-candle-sandMy soul is filling up thanks to more interaction with people and readings related to the Science of Mind philosophy, and incorporating something that is integral to the philosophy, Spiritual Mind Treatment.

Spiritual Mind Treatment is a scientific form of affirmative prayer that underlies the teachings of Science of Mind. It shifts your mind so that your life manifests that which you desire. After all, our thoughts create our world!

If you’re faced with a situation you would like to change, you can use this process to define and claim what you want. It is important to be clear about what you desire.

Spiritual Mind Treatment is a direct, focused, and organized method using five steps to get to your desired outcome. The shorthand version of them is:

  1. Recognition (God is)
  2. Unification (I am)
  3. Realization/Declaration (I accept; I affirm)
  4. Acceptance/Thanksgiving (I give thanks)
  5. Release (I let go and let God)

 

I’m learning and practicing this form of affirmative prayer. Certain steps seem to come to me more easily and naturally than others. In the near future, I expect to share some examples; perhaps they will be helpful to you as well. Stay tuned.

Believe and Receive

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believe

I always get a kick out of duplication of topics in my daily spiritual readings. One, it reminds me of synchronicity (so meaningful to me because it’s how I “came to believe”) even if they’re only remotely related. Two, it makes me pay even greater attention to the message.

This morning provides an example. In today’s 365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes, the founder of the Science of Mind philosophy quotes Mark 11:24: “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Holmes continues: “There could be no more explicit technique for effective prayer than this, laid down by the Master himself.”

We are not to doubt the outcome; in fact, we must believe it is already done. Since the Law of Good governs my life and affairs, I need to cast out any fear, doubt, and uncertainty, and replace it with acceptance of the good that I desire. And, I really have to release control (as if I really have it): I let the Law of Good handle how my desire will manifest. Without doubt hanging out in my monkey mind, I can relax—Spirit’s got it handled! I just need to believe and accept. I know, simple, but perhaps not always easy.

The other piece of spiritual reading I saw a connection with the aforementioned was today’s Science of Mind Magazine daily guide. Simply the title was enough to make the correlation: Kick Doubt Out. See what I mean?! No need to say much more except I’d like to mention one of the leading quotations in the article. “All the good that you desire awaits your acceptance of it. But you cannot experience it while you deny it.” – Thoughts are Things, by Ernest Holmes, page 39.

Without doubt in my mind, it so much easier to be peaceful, joyous, and free. And, after all, isn’t that a point of all our inner work? I am able to be more enthusiastic about life and the exciting and surprising adventure that it is!

Love, Caring, and Compassion

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scorekeeping

Keeping score in a relationship does not benefit anyone. It permeates the relationship with negative energy and will ultimately destroy it.

… Just like when I judge someone and see the darkness in them. It’s difficult to see the good in others when I’m busy focusing on what I perceive is inadequate in them. When I view others from a perspective of love, caring, and compassion, then those attributes will not only shine on and uplift them, but reflect back and permeate my world too. Of course, there is no doubt I will feel better about myself, and the relationship can move on in a positive, forward trajectory. Everyone wins!

I really don’t want to be negative, judgmental, or keep score on others, diminishing them and myself. If I desire to have an abundance of loving, caring relationships, I need to change my inner world. The inner world is where my true power lies. That’s where I make my connection to all powerful Spirit.

Praying to God, I am not looking to magically change external circumstances. Rather, I am tapping into my higher power and asking It to change the nature of my thoughts. With that change, my world shifts. I am a source of love, caring, and compassion, seeing the good in folks.

As A Course in Miracles points out, do I want to be right or be happy? I want to be happy, joyous, and free. With Divine Spirit’s help, it is so.

Every Second, With Every Breath

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one second

“God insists that we ask, not because He needs to know our situation, but because we need the spiritual discipline of asking.” – Catherine Marshall

“I need to be in touch with my Creator every hour of the day.”

– In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery, January 24
*As We Understand God

My last bit of time in bed this morning was filled with worry and anxiety. Somehow my mind had seized upon thinking about how I am not prepared for financial income as I progress into older age. I’ve always assumed I would be able to keep working as long as I needed to, never thinking about ageism in the corporate world, perhaps a decline in health, or any other possibility. It’s definitely something to address, but nothing that I want to have disturbing my sleep, let along my peace!

Soon thereafter the alarm rang, and I was off to my meditation space, chanting and then sitting in the silence. I am so grateful that I really do believe in a Power greater than myself, a Power that is for Good, only wants the best and highest good for me, that is there to help me. That, coupled with my truly believing that this is an abundant universe, Spirit is my Source and will provide channels of financial income as needed, I relaxed. I am not alone in this life situation; the Great Presence is with me.

Spirit is my Source, but I cannot rest on my laurels. I must seek and remain open to Spirit’s ideas and guidance; I must be willing to follow the guidance and play any part that I need to for my good to unfold and flow.

I don’t need to be in touch with Spirit every hour of the day and ask for Its help and guidance. I need to be in touch with Spirit every second of the day, with every breath I breathe!

Thank You, Spirit, that I “came to believe” so many years ago. Thank You, Spirit, that I can change my thoughts and emotions for the Good by resting in You, by staying with You… and come to a place of peace.

Places of Joy

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I may not be feeling joy within me very often during this particular period in my life, but I sure have it in my awareness. How could I not with objects and readings all around me?

Joy and Peace mugs I have a set of coffee mugs I purchased at Christmas time one year with calligraphy written on them. “Peace on earth, good will toward men” is one, “Joy to the world,” the other. I drink from them year-round. Each morning I check in as to whether I am feeling the energy of joy or peace, and decide on which one I want to have by my side during my morning sabbath.

A dear friend gifted me a pillow several years back, and it has its own place on the chair in my bedroom. I can’t miss it whether laying in bed, or exiting the door.

Joy pillowAnd once again this week, a reading was about joy. Today’s Science of Mind Magazine is entitled “The Soul’s Joy, a Pathway to Love.” Its author, Rev. Christine Green, shares about her places of joy. Walking in the forest, and observing the sunlight coming through the trees… walking on the beach, feeling the sand on her feet, the wind sweeping through her hair… being with a friend and giving/receiving a hug, perhaps sharing a cup of tea. Such experiences are essential to Rev. Christine’s good health. “Joy feeds my soul, raises my energy and expands my awareness.” Indeed.

What are your places and spaces of joy?

My places of joy include singing with others, especially in harmony… engaging in meaningful conversation, forging deeper connections with others…. watching a beautiful sunset on a romantic date… Giggling deeply and in concert with my friends at our Sedona Game Night.

“When I am in tune with the world around me, I find joy everywhere.”
– Daily Word, Monday, November 8, 2021

Just as You Are, and Just as You Are Not

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I'm ok You're ok

Each Sunday morning at Centers for Spiritual Living–Prescott the minister or licensed practitioner of the day opens the service welcoming folks “just as you are, and just as you are not.” The first time I heard that I was pretty shocked—I’d never heard a welcoming greeting like that before.

As I digested it, I realized how unique and profound it was. They were coming right out and saying I didn’t need to be perfect, I didn’t have to be a certain way, I could be ‘lacking’ something… I was being welcomed and accepted in my totality and being invited to be authentic. I could just relax and be me. Wow—especially from a group of strangers!

One of this morning’s readings reminded me of the aforementioned in it also conveys acceptance of one’s whole beingness.

“The thing we must get locked firmly in our mind is that it’s all right to be who we have been and who we are now. We know how to repair the damage now. Our program shows us the way to recovery, the way back to genuine esteem in ourselves as God’s creations. God made us, and always loves us just the way we are.”

– In God’s Care*: Daily Meditations on Spirituality in Recovery, January 22
*As We Understand God

Now, none of the aforementioned implies that I should remain stagnant. But like a long-ago book title, it means “I’m OK, You’re OK” and we are welcomed in whatever state we show up in. How refreshing!

Registering Joy

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This past week’s homework for “A Consciousness of Joy” class has been ‘interesting.’

joy-o-meterThe assignment was to notice each day during the week when I felt joy and write it down. It was a helpful exercise because it naturally had me more on the lookout for joy when I otherwise might have not noticed and passed it by as I know I can do. This, in itself, was a positive step towards increasing the joy in my life.

This week my spiritual readings and other material often included the word joy. Like today’s quote in 365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes: “I walk in the joy of increasing Good.” I had to smile.

Alas, I cannot say that I actually felt joy this week—maybe if there had been horses on the farm where I volunteered on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I would have felt joy (they’re still being boarded elsewhere for the winter)!

I’m not surprised at the outcome of this week’s homework, as I know that joy has been fairly scant in my life for some time now. That’s one reason I wanted to take the class, to learn about how to more easily access and increase the joy that is inherent within my soul. Connecting with others in a meaningful way brings me joy, so that was another reason to attend. It didn’t quite register on the joy-o-meter, but I was sure glad to have been with the group last week.

A Touch

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Caring hands touching“Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
– Leo Buscaglia

What popped out to me when I read this quote, was the mention of the power of touch. Since March 2020, when the pandemic was officially declared and the interaction of people became forever changed, I have experienced a huge void in the area of personal touch, mainly hugs, but also the touch I received while joyously contra dancing.

Living alone has always been a challenge to getting a sufficient amount of touch for good health—except when I attended 12 Step meetings and my need to give and receive hugs was always easily satisfied. Now during these unique times, I have had to make an even more concerted effort to at least be in some sort of contact socially with people. That has been mainly through online classes and meetings, texts, and emails. But of course, none of those are physical in nature. Thank heaven for my Teddy (bear)!

At my spiritual center, hugs are the norm even during these times. I made the decision last weekend that I would participate and let others know I was open since I’m one of the few folks who wears a mask regularly. It’s a start.

Whilst in these crazy, unprecedented times I continue to hang on to hope. Belief in a power greater than myself enables me to do so and the two are inextricably intertwined. Spirit is abundance, wholeness, goodness, love, and much more. In the mix of all that, there are hugs.

In the meanwhile, I will not underestimate the positive impact I can have on others in numerous ways. I trust that as I smile behind my mask, people will know by my twinkling eyes I’m smiling at them and be uplifted.