 Feeling down? Is life feeling sad and depressing? Do you have moments of confusion and mental heaviness that doesn’t seem to abate? Is your thinking fuzzy and unfocused? Do you experience bursts of anger towards those you love and wonder where it came from? Well don’t fret, there is good news, those negative thoughts are not your thoughts.
Do you believe those urges to think negatively are not your thoughts? You know, all the harsh voices inside your head suggesting you’re not happy, you’re angry, resentful, hurt by others, jealous, envious. It is the collective consciousness (world thought) that is trying to act as your own thinking. It is not yours. It doesn’t belong to you but is simply a call to be aware and awake to what it is trying to do to you. Those voices are trying to make you believe that God is not real and is not present – that you are helpless. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy writes, “This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side there will be discord and dismay; on the other side there will be Science and peace” (p. 96:13). What do we do with this information? How shall we think about this? I love where Mary Baker Eddy writes, also in Science and Health, “Stand porter at the door of thought” (p. 392:24). I take to heart her words because I know I don’t want to be a sponge and soak up every dark thought that’s being presented in the media regarding mass-killings, the dark side of politics, interracial disturbances, and the lack of dignity in human behavior. Our true defense is divine Love. We learn to observe what is going on around us, but not to absorb the world thought that only wants to steal our joy and cause us confusion. The following are a few spiritual affirmations to ponder:
Remember, those gross, icky thoughts are not your thoughts. They don’t belong to you. You have power and dominion to resist any thought that doesn’t come from God. We indeed have the mind of Christ. It is the only thing that will heal our beloved planet.
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 "How you relate to the issue is the issue" – Dr. Ron Hulnick
I have been on a three week hiatus from blogging. Why, you might ask? Here’s the story . . . I took off for California (from our home in Colorado) after I received a phone call from a police officer saying that my mother’s home had been broken into. My mother passed on in 2012 and her husband died this year. I am the trustee of their family trust, and I needed to get into action quickly. The first thing I did was ask Spirit for help and then changed the locks on the house. The following three weeks were spent clearing and cleaning the home, putting the house on the market, selling two cars, and meeting with accountants and attorneys. Whew, it was a lot!! I was mentally, emotionally, and physically challenged. Why am I writing about this? What relevance does it have in a spiritual/metaphysical blog? One might say, “this is no big deal, people settle estates every day with similar challenges”. Answer: It was a big deal, and this is how I worked with it: Step by step will those who trust Him find that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy 444:10) I realized that my strength was in God by reflection. It required that I be in the “moment”. It was God who was already present to alert the neighbors that there were people breaking into the house, not me. It was God that I turned to inwardly to feel peace when the feeling of overwhelm seemed present. I was learning to trust God, His ever-presence and all-power. After all, this was a “trust issue”. Another favorite passage I used, and took to heart, from Miscellaneous Writings page 354:15 – (also written by Mary Baker Eddy) A little more grace, a motive made pure, a few truths tenderly told, a heart softened, a character subdued, a life consecrated, would restore the right action of the mental mechanism, and make manifest the movement of body and soul in accord with God. Isn’t this a wonderful statement?! It’s really a prayer to be more God-like, even in challenging situations when grace and humility are needed most. I used this passage, again, to be in “the moment”. To allow divine Love to use me to bring grace to the seeming human upheaval. – My intentions and motives each day were pure, and I only allowed myself to see everyone’s goodness, including mine. When there were instructions to be given, I’d give them tenderly and deliberately, speaking to others in a way I would like to be spoken to. What happened next? Hearts softened and the Christ was felt by all involved. Ego and false character traits yielded to the harmony and humility that comes from God. After returning home from a very busy time, I felt satisfied that Spirit was at the helm of all our activity. So much had been accomplished with our hands in God’s. I feel my mother and step-father would be very happy with a job well done, knowing that their instructions were carried out with love and principle. The issue seemed to be about a feeling of overwhelm. I chose to relate to the issue with compassion and grace to all concerned. Thank you for this opportunity, God.  Are you feeling mentally heavy? Are cobwebs inhabiting your mental corners? Has dust settled on the coffee tables of your being and tarnished your spiritual clarity?
If so then it’s high time for a good mental, spring cleaning to weed out the old and to make room for the new! How do we do this? We go to God in humility to show us the way. The words from the 3rd stanza of the Communion Hymn written by Mary Baker Eddy is a good place to start: “Sinner, it calls you,—“Come to this fountain, Cleanse the foul senses within; ’Tis the Spirit that makes pure, That exalts thee, and will cure All thy sorrow and sickness and sin.” A dictionary defines “foul” as dirty, mucky, grimy, soiled, dullied, offensive and repugnant. Another dictionary defines “foul” as unkind, malicious, mean, nasty, unpleasant and unfriendly. You can make your own list of whatever seems foul in your thought in order to clean and heal all that is offensive. You and I were made in the image of God, and we know He doesn’t see you in a negative and destructive way, having thoughts that are unlike and separate from Him. So we begin with God. What does God know? How does God see me? “Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil.” (Hab. 1:13) Perhaps your thinking is not dirtied. Could this be because you’ve done the daily work, as Mrs. Eddy admonishes us to do to keep your mental household clean? In Miscellaneous Writings page 137:23 Mrs. Eddy writes, “Pray without ceasing. Watch diligently; never desert the post of spiritual observation and self-examination. Strive for self-abnegation, justice, meekness, mercy, purity, love. Let your light reflect Light. Have no ambition, affection, nor aim apart from holiness.” This is preventative work in its purest form. Simply begin where you are in this moment. Don’t make it too difficult. Quiet your thoughts and ask divine Love to purify your thoughts to better reflect His clear, loving knowing of His precious and beloved child, you. Mental, spring cleaning feels good!  Dear spiritually poised child of Mine, I am here to carry you over the waves of despair and give you hope and peace. I promise to stay close to you and not leave you when the winds of chaos, confusion and turmoil blow. I promise to nurture you, comfort you and feed you with tenderness and compassion. I promise to keep you safe from the arrows that seem to be trying to pierce your heart and cause you to feel depressed and despondent. You see, you are Mine. Let me ask you……”what is the life lesson that you seem to be immersed in? What are you learning about yourself ? What are you learning about Me?” This is “earth’s preparatory school” and your life lessons are here for you, now. This is the curriculum that is here for you to work with, not bury with food, push away because it’s “too hard” or blame everyone else for. Please see this time as a time to “draw closer to Me” and see this challenge as holy and sacred. Please see this challenge as an opportunity to know Me better and who you are in my eyes. This challenge is for the refinement of your soul. It is giving you the spiritual fortitude and perseverance needed for the advancement of your path heavenward. So, stay spiritually poised. Stay aligned with Me. Know that this challenge will not take you down but raise you up! Your seeming problem is here to make you stronger. Trust Me now. Plant your feet in the ground, drop your shoulders and unclench your teeth. I am your strength. You are not doing this alone. I am with you, always. I love and cherish you. Always with love, God  It’s such a common theme. “I will be happy when I have a bigger house". "I will be happy when my spouse changes". "I will be happy when my bills are paid, when I lose this weight, when my children get a job, when I get a new car.” This mental chatter goes on and on. When we use the words, “I will happy when” it causes our happiness to be forever out in front of us as an unobtainable goal. It makes it dependent on human circumstances. It makes us think that happiness is a state of human accomplishment - something that we have to “get”. And let’s face it, do we ever really get it? In the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures on page 337:7 Mary Baker Eddy writes, “For true happiness, man must harmonize with his Principle, divine Love...” To harmonize with divine Love means…
If you and I are made in the image and likeness of God wouldn’t it seem effortless to be in harmony with divine Love? Isn’t it God’s plan and will for our lives enough? Do we really have to control every aspect of human existence to be happy? Can we really trust God? He knows our heart and deeply loves us as His dear children. Let’s make the choice to be happy now, independent of human circumstances. Let’s make the decision to feel God’s love for us and quiet our minds and hearts with the love that is present for us in this moment. Just think of all He has done for us already! God has our backs. He is continually working on our behalf. Prayer: Father/Mother God, I pray to hear your voice today. It is your will that I want to listen to and follow. I know that you have only good in store for me. I know that when I harmonize with who you are, and what I am as your likeness, I will experience abundance in the form of health, opportunity and abounding joy and happiness. My hope is in you, dear God. I thank you for all that you have so graciously given me. I trust my future to you, wholeheartedly, as I humbly forge ahead with my hand in yours. I am happy because I am in harmony with you and I thank you for this heavenly day. Thank you dear God. Here’s to a Heavenly Day in harmony with Love ~ Enjoy . . . "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you" (Isaiah 66:13) With Mother's Day fast approaching it got me to think about my own mother. I remember a time long, long ago when we were on a family outing. My dad was driving, my older sister was in the front seat while my mother was in the back seat with me and the rest of my siblings. I am the second of their four children. I was known to acquiesce to anyone that seemed to need more than me. I was the peace-maker in the family, the adapter and the child that didn't want to make waves. I was always happy to take-one-for-the-team if it meant maintaining harmony. Back to the story…. At a quick glance I noticed my mother's lap wasn't "taken". Everyone was busy looking out the window, talking or reading a book. Finally, Mom's lap was mine. It was all mine. So I gently laid my head on her lap, so content to have her to myself for but a moment. And a moment it was. She tenderly began to stroke my hair and comfort me with her touch. I was so very happy that I simply melted into her and took it all in. My life was perfect in that moment. All of a sudden my mother abruptly pushed me away. She wasn't angry or upset. My younger sister needed immediate attention. My time was "up". My mom was completely oblivious to how I was feeling and how I had internalized my hurt. In that moment I bought into the idea that I wan’t important, loved and cherished as her daughter. I can recall deep feelings of sadness and grief when I was shushed off my mother's lap. My young, tender heart felt abandoned by my mother. It felt like her love had been ripped from me. After all, I was always the one that waited for everyone else to have their turn. Wasn't it my turn now? The comfort from my human mother was temporary. Fast forward many years later . . . . I do have a mother and Her name is Love. I didn't know it then but I certainly know it now! I've proven this over and over again. I was tired of the same old pattern of thinking and, most definitely, feeling that I wan’t worthy of my mother’s love. I decided to change my thinking to and replace the pain I once felt with a deep knowing and acceptance as God as my Mother.
My "take home" lesson: My Mother’s lap is always available to me; I am enough. I am the loved of Love. Here's to a beautiful, flowery, love-filled Mother's Day! Although slightly unrelated, I love the song "Mama" by the Spice Girls. It was introduced to me by my firstborn. We used to dance to it, and I would shed “happy tears” because it would touch my mother heart so deeply. Enjoy ~  “Emerge gently from matter into Spirit. Think not to thwart the spiritual ultimate of all things, but come naturally into Spirit through better health and morals and as the result of spiritual growth.” – Mary Baker Eddy The journey of awakening is a journey, not an event. It takes moments of surrender to divine Love’s will. It’s being present each moment to choose the best thoughts that are in alignment with the Christ. Humility is a great vehicle to grace. When we are humble we can hear that still, small voice of Love speaking to us. Let’s be tender with ourselves and our growth heavenward. Life is eternal, so we have this moment to make choices on what to think and how to act. One way to “emerge gently” is to not dwell on past mistakes. Remember to also not look too far to the future. You’ll only be disappointed when things don’t work out the way you think they should. Simply dwell in the infinite beauty and goodness of now. Give gratitude for all that God is. Then as you proceed in life, gently yield to Love’s all-presence and all power. Make healthy, heart-centered and loving choices to come naturally into Spirit. You only have this moment to align with Love and to 'feel the divine energies of Spirit, bringing you into newness of life'. Your Thoughts are Powerful ~ Choose the Healthy Ones
Example’s of LIVING VISION statements:
~ Try it, you’ll feel so much better!  When there is a national or international crisis, do not become involved in the doom and gloom and allow it to affect you.
Raise your consciousness into the realms where all is peace and harmony, and in this way you can help the situation far more than allowing yourself to become involved in it and become part of it. It is not an easy thing to do when all around you it is being discussed and bemoaned; in fact it is a universal thought, and you have to rise above it, to reach beyond it, so you are not dragged down by it. This is where it is so necessary to let your mind be stayed on Me (divine Love), to concentrate on the things of the Spirit, on the things that really do matter in life. You wonder how your positive, uplifting thoughts can possibly help an international crisis. Your helpful, healing thoughts are powerful! - therefore do your part, no matter how small or insignificant it may appear to you. Do your best to uplift your thoughts by knowing the Love is on the scene to help all involved in the crisis. Then, and only then, will you be doing your part to defuse the situation and bring healing to all involved.  Just for a moment, give Heart-Centered Listening a try.
Is there someone that is trying to get your attention? Is it a child, a spouse, a co-worker? Stop your mental chatter, relax your stance and look into their eyes. Now, REALLY LISTEN to what they are saying. Drop your response. Quit rehearsing what you will say back to them. They are not wanting or needing your advice. Keep listening. Focus on their heart. Let them know that you care what they have to say by your silence and deep listening. It is ego that wants to counsel, advise, and coerce. Remember: your job is to trust that they have all the inner resources to access their own knowing. After your child, spouse, or co-worker has completed her sharing, then thank them. You have just witnessed a miraculous moment. You didn’t have to say a thing! You have assisted one, in your silence, to access their own intuition and knowing. A gift has been given and received in the same exchange. Both parties are blessed. This is, in its truest sense, Heart-Centered Listening. |
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"Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy. Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine “powers that be.” ~ p. 249, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy ❧ Archives
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