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It’s not been a good news day personally…

I don’t usually think in those terms, but that’s just how it was. But, Spirit was in the midst of it.

I wasn’t planning on writing about this, but that’s where I’m at now, at the end of a long day, and eager to write in my gratitude journal and have lights out.

It was ironic that yesterday I wrote about my lengthy morning spiritual exercise routine; today I had to abandon about half of it when I was called into work early. I finally finished it mid-afternoon. But, Spirit was in the midst of it.

Then, I got a phone call. Yesterday, as part of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday celebration and National Day of Service holiday, I volunteered at Horses with Heart. I did manual labor in a group of about ten people outdoors. Even though all the horses were away for the winter, it was great to be in the sunshine, out on the land, getting exercise, being of service, and chatting with others. Finally, I felt like my life was coming together in my new hometown albeit slowly due to the pandemic. But it was coming together, I was forming community. The phone call was to inform me that someone in the group had tested positive for COVID this morning. After trusting that the person only has a mild case, I then thought, “Now what do I do?” Spirit was in the midst of it.

I received news that a friend’s journey with cancer had done a quick, sudden U-turn and she was back in the hospital. And, of course, in these times, her husband cannot even be with her. Spirit is in the midst of it.

And then I had to laugh: I got an email indicating that someone from my Saturday class “A Consciousness of Joy” had tested positive for COVID. What the heck was going on?! All this happening at once. Spirit is in the midst of it.

Yes, it’s been a l-o-n-g day. It was rainy and overcast all day here in Prescott; I don’t do well without sunlight. It’s been a depleting day, a day of sadness. I’m grateful that I’m not fearful over COVID; I just need to take extra special care of my well-being, make some decisions, and change plans I had for in-person meetings. Spirit is in the midst of it all.

During such times especially, I believe that Spirit truly is within me, all around me, within everyone I know, and around all of us. There is a plan even if I don’t have a clue about it. What I do have a clue about is to hold one and all in prayer, affirming our oneness, and holding kind, caring, tranquil thoughts in my consciousness. We all have our challenges wearing this human suit.

This too shall pass. Spirit is in the midst of it all.

Once again readings this morning converged…

“…We are in the midst of an ever-present Good…there is a law that brings everything of Its nature into our lives…”
– 365 Science of Mind: A Year of Daily Wisdom from Ernest Holmes, January 16

“Let us work as if success depended upon ourselves alone, but with heartfelt conviction that we are doing nothing and God everything.”
– St. Ignatius Loyola

I am always comforted by the reiteration of spiritual principles. In this case, I was reminded that I cannot rest on my laurels, that I have work to do! And, I am not alone in this work, Spirit is ever-present and doing Its part most assuredly for good to come to me.

Earlier this week I wrote about my adventures with HP—Hewlett Packard—along with Spirit.

This morning I found out that my solution to a printer issue did not pan out, and so I was off to the races scurrying to find a new one. Some important documents have been piling up to be printed, so I really needed to get one immediately.

With supply chain issues these days, I wasn’t 100% sure I would find something reasonably priced, let alone one at all, especially since I live in a smaller town these days, 100+ miles from a big city with greater shopping choices. After researching online and making some phone calls, I decided upon another HP printer that seemed to suit my needs and finances. I called the office supply store to verify their website was accurate in stating it was in stock. It was, but there were only two units available. Desperately, I told the salesperson I would pay for it over the phone with a credit card and pick it up within an hour; I needed to make sure I didn’t lose out. The store doesn’t handle such transactions, but the salesperson offered to hold it for me for one day; no problem as I’d be there within the hour. I was so grateful Jason was willing to hold it for me.

I made the 20-minute drive into the business district, enjoying being out of the office for a while, and admiring the natural beauty that is at my fingertips in my new home town. I arrived at the store, and the printer was out on the counter waiting for moi. To make a long story short, a new register system had recently been installed. I’m not sure it was the cause, but the price was ringing up higher than the website, a special free offer for ink wasn’t right either, and we went through several iterations of charges to my credit card each time I reviewed the printed receipt. Jason, who also was the manager, was sorry for the hassle and insisted on giving me a gift card. I really didn’t think it was necessary, but he insisted and I finally accepted it. I really appreciated Jason’s and the store’s integrity (his word), and his seriousness at wanting “to make things right.”

So, while it really was a fiasco in trying to purchase another HP printer, it was easy for me to count my blessings and feel (the other) HP’s presence:

• I was grateful I located a new printer that had very good reviews
• The model was in my budget
• The model was in stock
• I received a free ink offer
• With the complimentary gift card, I got additional goodies in the store that had been on my shopping list
• I got to be of service by noticing the register errors; Jason was appreciative and was going to speak with his manager

Most importantly, I set up the printer after I got home and off from work with ease—and, it works!

An HP printer may not always be available or in good working order. However, in times of angst, uncertainty, and hyperactivity, when I remember Higher Power, It helps to calm me down, and remain patient and kind. And, It is always available and works no matter what!

“People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind.“ — J. B. Yeats

Before I entered the rooms of a 12 Step program, I was a devout atheist. I was extremely logical and analytical; and, yes, I majored in philosophy in college! I was also a very sensitive and feeling person, but I would put that part of me aside and rely on logic to live my life, to operate in my relationships. I was very proud of my intelligence and my logical abilities and practice. Also, to me, belief in a Judeo-Christian God was illogical and contradictory, and there was no physical evidence to prove (logic again) that God existed. I thought I was a free thinker since I wasn’t fooled by mainstream, nonsensical beliefs.

When I finally was open enough and willing enough to go to a 12 Step meeting where I knew the ‘G-word’ would be said, I was exposed to another perspective (and I realized I wasn’t quite the ‘free thinker’ after all, but close-minded). Logic and intelligence were of no aid in recovering from one’s addiction. There were many instances where there was no ‘logical’ explanation for the wonderful events and changes that came to pass in the lives of individuals practicing the 12 Steps. Even I had to admit that. There was something else at work, something that couldn’t be proven by logic, but tangible just the same. The synchronicities, the miracles, the transformation of people’s psyche (soul) was evidence of God’s existence. Bearing witness to this, and also experiencing similar things in my own life, shifted my heart, my soul. Logic had not been the answer.

About a year into my recovery and believing in a Power greater than myself, increasing my trust in intuition, allowing my feelings to guide me through life more and by logic less so, I came across the above quote. Reading it, I felt like I had been hit right between the eyes and an arrow hit a bullseye in my heart. Yeats was talking directly to me. I had been starving my mind, my soul.

These days I know there is a place for logic in life, but it’s not the only thing. And that shift within me has improved my life extensively. And, gratefully, it opened me to a whole new outlook on life, on people, on God.

“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” – C. S. Lewis

I read the quote above this morning in one of my daily meditation books. As far as I am concerned, I have to begin relying on God anew not just at the beginning of each new day since I often forget the presence of Spirit multiple times a day! I am grateful that today’s quote came back to me just as I started slipping in patience and kindness during a service call about my computer printer.

I had already spent two hours on the phone troubleshooting the problem with the technical support guy, and he was really terrific: kind, patient, polite, fairly knowledgeable. But it was I who finally realized what the problem probably was based on prior experience and logic, but I had to request to speak with a supervisor to approve the remedy. My solution would cost the company, HP (Hewlett Packard)—I love referring to that company that way, just another reminder of Spirit 😊—money, while it would keep me from having to purchase a new printer just because some think my printer is too old (fours years). It has been working fine until I’d put in a new printer cartridge received directly from HP, yet they were trying to deny their responsibility.

After two hours in my office on the phone (when I should have been working my job), having drank all my water, needing to pee, and getting hungry, I didn’t appreciate the HP supervisor not taking responsibility for the issue. I did get what I asked for, as well as agreed, that if the remedy didn’t work, I was resigned to letting it go and purchasing a new printer. Still, the supervisor could’ve have been better in providing customer service, so I found myself interrupting and correcting him, and starting to raise my voice.

Then, I caught myself. Well, I think Spirit was the one. It nudged me by having me remember the quote above, and I immediately switched gears lowering my voice, etc. I was grateful to not lose my cool and I was grateful the supervisor agreed to send a new cartridge (next day business no less!).

Another reading this morning reminded me that my practice is not to become perfect but to accept and love myself just as I am. I can report that I didn’t beat myself up for starting to slip in my demeanor with the supervisor, so my practice has helped me no doubt.

I always have the choice to start anew with Spirit any time, and while I have the willingness, sometimes I do need Spirit to remind me. I am grateful that It does.