“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
~ Benjamin Franklin ~

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“This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 
~ Psalm 118: 24 ~

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“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day . . .”
~ 2 Corinthians 6:2 ~ 

Cultivating a new way of being in the world and becoming a greater version of oneself is not for the faint of heart. After all, old habits die hard. However, do not underestimate the power of a made-up mind.

Conscious thinkers, throughout the ages, have brought to our attention the importance of utilizing the energy and inspiration of the present moment to fulfill the dreams of our hearts.

In response to the wise counsel of New Thought and Ancient Wisdom, we often tell ourselves that we do not have the resources in this here-and-now present moment to move forward with the vision of the heart. We tell ourselves that we will take up the mission at another time. We tell ourselves we need more research, or more money, or more education, or more coaching, etc., etc., etc. This self-talk denies the reality of the unlimited potential of our creative nature, and it delays the greater good that awaits us. 

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe tells us, “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” The “begin it” he speaks about may be as simple an act as making a list of things that specify what it will take to actualize your heart’s desire. It may be as simple as journaling your thoughts, feelings, and imaginations, which describe the vision that pulls you.  The “begin it” Goethe speaks about may be an affirmation that you recite, accepting your greater-yet-to-be, right here, right now. The idea is simply to begin some activity that keeps you mindful of your objective. In so doing, you ignite the creative medium that surrounds you, and you tap into the field of infinite possibilities. 

Begin to engage in the practice of lowly listening through daily meditation. It is in this silent communion that we begin to hear the guidance of our Higher Self, and we begin to know what is ours to do to unleash the Divine One within us that is already whole, complete, and perfect.

Ernest Holmes teaches that while there may be a process that takes time to come to the realization of our true self. However, there is no process of time regarding the truth about our inherent nature. It always exists in the present moment. In his infamous hymn, Amazing Grace, John Newton tells us: “How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” 

Whether you call it commitment, resolution, intention, or goal, it is the conviction of the heart, aligned with the power for good operating in the universe, that out-pictures in the world. It is Law.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I am whole and complete in this moment.”

https://innertune.com/affirmations-playlists/the-power-of-now

(Revisited)
One of the many things that I love about the philosophy of the Science of Mind is, it is a teaching of how to think, not what to think.  The whole premise is, as creatures of thought, we are always thinking; and as a result, our thoughts are forever manifesting as our experiences. The more proficient we become in the “how to,” the more fulfilled we become with the “what is.”

As I reminisce about these familiar ideas, I am reminded that the individual power contained in these simple – yet profound concepts has always been known. Ancient wisdom concurs with the point being made here. 

For example, “things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Hebrews 11:3) tells us there is an invisible cause behind every apparent condition. The Cause, as evidenced by the Cosmos or Macrocosm, is the consciousness of the Creator and Source of All.   The “cause,” as evidenced by the myriads of conditions or microcosms, is the individual consciousness and/or the collective belief of humanity. 

The Hermetic teachings simplified the principle by saying, “as within, so without.” On the one hand, the Science of Mind recognizes that “what” you think is yours alone to choose, and at the same time, it teaches that it is your beliefs (your thinking) that are the substance out of which your experiences are created. Therefore, Ernest Holmes says, “Change your thinking – change your life.”

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7). These words suggest that I experience myself according to what I believe about who I am, as evidenced by the conditions in my life. 

What I hear from these wise ones is: “What” we think about is the specific thing we desire to experience in life; i.e., health, wealth, wisdom, love, and joy showing up as our bodies, our finances, our relationships, and our careers, etc.  The effective way to think about these things, or “How,” is to realize your true nature expressing as those things. Your true nature is the image and likeness of God, The Source. Your nature is health, wealth, wisdom, love, and joy. Jesus explained “the how” when saying: “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and these things will be added unto you.”

As a serious seeker of Truth, I have found that it is not enough for me to agree that the inherent nature of all things is spiritual; created out of an invisible cause. It is not enough for me to agree that any apparent condition, to the contrary, is a false belief manifesting.  Like all sciences, a theory lies dormant until it is successfully proven, just like “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26) In my awakened state of consciousness, I test my belief by rising above any negative situation I may be experiencing. I consciously apply Principles of Truth.

Albert Einstein tells us, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.”  With that said, I tell myself that no matter what words I may voice/or say regarding any adverse situation I may face, it is my thinking, more specifically, my belief, that must be changed. When that happens, my words will be the law that brings about new conditions. 

While diving deeply into my True Self, I somehow know that my action contributes to the consciousness of humanity. 

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This Weeks Affirmation

“My thought is a law of creative action known as life.”

By Keith Childers

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”  Psalms 30.5 ~

~ ~ ~ ~

Every living being is unified with all of nature, all of the time; i.e., experiencing all of her ways as intricate aspects of one’s very own being … and most assuredly according to one’s subjective belief.  

With a limited perception of ourselves, we have come to fear the darkness of our own nature, believing it is separate from who we are and who is our enemy.

However, there have always been those among us who have pierced the veil of seeming separation and realized that darkness and light are simply experiences we encounter.  They are phases of our nature. It is written that light and darkness are the same to the Infinite One.

Therefore, with an expanded viewpoint of who we are, we come to realize that all of creation is born in darkness, be it a plant in earth’s soil or a baby in its mother’s womb. They both, upon entering the world, are one with the presence of Light. Likewise, all experiences are with us just for a season.  Chantal Garneau offers us the following blessing:

 ~ “May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night,
that each day forward is blessed with more light. ~

~ ~ ~ ~

Anne Frank tells us: “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”  

When, as students of Truth, we begin to let go of the false beliefs and erroneous concepts that have kept us in the darkness of ignorance, the solstice of the soul reveals a glimmer of light that shows us what is to come.

No matter what the experiences of the year 2024 have been, the New Year is the dawning of unfolding Light with its new experiences.  Our deepest desires, that have germinated in the creative medium of divine mind, are now ready to manifest according to our high resolve.

While a breakthrough in consciousness may be imminent, a consistent spiritual practice supports us in giving birth to our vision of Light, expressing as peace, harmony, love, joy, wisdom, prosperity, beauty, and unlimited good. 

Let’s let every resolution for the year 2025 become an affirmation that declares the inevitable Light that leads us into a place of peace and poise as we experience our next season of growth and deeper understanding.

In so doing, may we adhere to the wise words of Howard Thurman, as follows:

“Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve,
that in fair weather or in foul, in good times or in tempests,
in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar,
I may not forget that to which my life is committed.”

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This Weeks Affirmation

“My now is not my forever. I remain open to life’s lessons.
”https://harvestinghealthandhappiness.com/5-powerful-affirmations-for-hope/

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.”
~ Matthew 18:20 ~

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“Christ is Universal Idea, and each one “puts on the Christ: to the degree that he (she) surrenders a limited sense of Life to the Divine Realization of wholeness and unity with Good, Spirit, God.
~The Science of Mind, p. 579.1

The core concept taught at Centers for Spiritual Living is “Oneness.” The philosophy espouses that every living being is unified with the One Source of all life, God.  Therefore, all beings are unified with each other.

Throughout the ages, this life principle has been taught in various ways. Jesus taught it when he said, in effect, that whenever people of like-thinking agree upon ideas such as love, peace, beauty, and joy, the IAM Presence of God is activated, and all these things are possible as our experience.  In other words, “I AM” is the word of God within us. It is a power-filled declaration from which all things are formed and made manifest. From this perspective we can see the benefit of community, a place where our common unity is shared.

The awareness that proclaims that one’s very own self is an individualized center of consciousness within the One Infinite Spirit, has been spontaneously known by mystics of all time.   Many of us are consciously engaged in a process of awakening to the changeless Truth.   While the spiritual practices that we love and adore may take time to take root in our consciousness; nonetheless, with consistency we are sure to have an epiphany of the life divine in whom we live, move, and have our being.

The moment we begin imagining a greater version of ourselves, we begin to hear the mystical messages of our thoughts from our higher understanding.  We begin to respond to that inner urge and divine guidance. We begin to nurture the Christ Consciousness within us that is being born into its greater yet to be.

In this enlightened state of consciousness, we begin to see humanity as One Universal Family. We begin to see the Christ Presence at the center of every living being. In this heightened state of awareness, we begin to see Christ, not just in one or two; but in the masses. We begin to identify every man, woman, child, animal, and plant as an individualization of the One Presence and the One Power that permeates eternity.

We may begin to see the Christ showing up in mass and living as ascending and descending generations. We begin to see this Christ-mass calling themselves The Greatest, The Silent, Baby Boomers, Xs, Millennials, Zs, and Alphas, all living together peacefully on earth and with goodwill towards all.

We begin to prepare room in our hearts and minds for the generation of Betas who are to come. We begin to eagerly await the expanded consciousness of love and light that they surely bring.  

We begin to see the mystical meaning of every symbol of Light, Star, Angel, Tree, Animal, Baby and more.  We begin to hear the meaning of every song being sung, and the love that imbues every gift that is given and received.

Yes, how fulfilling it is to give Joy to the World. Merry Christmas!

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I am present and mindful during Christmas celebrations.”

https://www.affirmations.online/short-christmas-affirmations-for-a-magical-christmas-2024/

(REVISITED)

“Healing is not a process but a revelation; for the revealing of the perfect man always heals. The process, if there is one, is the time and thought that it takes to arrive at the correct understanding of man’s perfect state in Spirit.”
~ The Science of Mind (Ernest Holmes) ~

“Quantum Physics is more than physics: it is a new form of mysticism, which suggests the interconnectedness of all things and beings and the connection of our minds with a cosmic mind.”
~ Carl Gustav Jung, Quantum Physics, and the Spiritual Mind (Diogo Valadas Pointe, and Lothar Schafer) ~

“How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.”
~ Amazing Grace (John Newton) ~

Ancient Wisdom and New Thought have provided guideposts that are encouraging to those traveling the road of enlightenment. Guideposts that say, “Seek and you shall find;” “Ask and it shall be given;” “Your faith has made you whole;” “As above, so below;” “What you conceive and believe, you can achieve;” “Where attention goes, energy flows.” The proverbs, clichés, and platitudes go on and on. The point is, the universe reveals Its nature whenever the Invisible Presence is touched with a sincere curiosity about one’s relationship to the Whole. In such occasions, the essence of all things is revealed to the seeker of Truth.

Whether you ponder the meaning of life from a philosophical, scientific, or a religious perspective, you will always bump into the mysticism of spirituality at the core. Here, the word spirituality is being used in the context of, “an atmosphere of goodness, truth, and beauty,” as described by Ernest Holmes.

It does not matter if you use a process of deductive reasoning, the application of an infallible principle, or engage in sacred prayer; your soul’s sincere desire positions you to discover there is One Infinite Presence and Power operating in and through absolutely everything. The moment you become aware of this Unified Field of Life; your journey of awakening to your true nature has begun.

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For many, it is the intellect that first grasps the concept of oneness and begins to consciously align with the nature of First Cause (natural goodness, truth, and beauty in all things). This is accomplished through regular spiritual practices.  Soon, an optimistic attitude is developed toward life. However, this positive outlook does not suggest we put our heads in the sand, saying all is well when it is not. In his book, Living the Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes writes: “We do not say that people are not poor, sick, or unhappy. We ask why these things should be if the Original Cause of all things is Harmonious, Perfect, Radiant, and Happy.”

The student of Truth continues to affirm the great vision of Love, Harmony, Peace, Health, and Prosperity that is in the midst of all things, regardless of appearances, until the perception of Wholeness is embodied in one’s mind. The moment this possibility is fully realized, then through faith and acceptance, tangible results follow. 

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The integrity of the universe is Love and Law. Love, the deeply felt connection with the desired result points the way, while the immutable law of Cause and Effect makes the way possible. This creative power is within every one of us, without exception. 

There are unlimited possibilities for good stretched before us all. What is commonly called a “miracle,” is that one moment in time when the Energy we call prayer is in perfect alignment with that which we accept as the answer.  

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This Weeks Affirmation

“My faith in the One Power and Presence operating in, through, and as me is immutable.

 Perfect God, perfect man, perfect being!”

Angela “Chris” Beam