(Revisited)
I fretted, became frustrated, exhausted, and finally, just plain spent. You see, even the most skilled IT Technician could not retrieve that Word Document I so desperately needed. It was lost forever. 

In the midst of feeling stuck in a cycle of self-blame and ridicule for not doing my part to save the precious text, I heard a still small voice within me say, “The same intelligence that flowed through you, creating that document, is still available.” Unconsciously I was being re-aligned with the Truth, the promise of freedom, the ability to begin again. The decision to accept the gift of letting go of the mistake and moving on, equated to self-forgiveness.

You would think I would immediately follow this divine guidance. It was my choice. Nonetheless, I continued to struggle, punishing myself a little longer. It was as if an opposing thought said, ‘Self-forgiveness is for more serious issues, like the one shared by a woman I know, who had been physically imprisoned for her mistakes.’ 

Limiting self-talk keeps us locked into what is already the past.

The woman, like me, heard the still small voice within her that promised a new beginning. Determined to create a new story of her life, she adhered to the divine guidance of this Inner Knower. While today she passionately disavows the behavior that once identified her; she nonetheless acknowledges her journey of awakening and moves forward.

Now awake, and supporting others as aLife Coach, she is a conduit for healing.  

The principle of forgiveness does not favor one condition over another. It simply dissolves the emotional energy of condemnation, shame, or blame. The Self/giving-ness of Divine Love energizes the entire being with the wisdom to move forward, to begin again.  In many ways our self-forgiveness and ability to move forward support fellow travelers, like the woman I mentioned. 

There is no “big” or “small” in the Infinite Mind of the Divine. Even the slightest condemnation of one’s self, and that of another, blocks the free-flowing energy of Spirit, causing emotional imprisonment and limits self-expression. 

The Self-giving-ness of the Divine One is Grace. It is the ever-flowing presence of healing Love.

John Newton, the converted slave trader of the 1700s wrote: “How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.”

I GOT IT!!!

Thank goodness for the practice of meditation and prayer. My realization was swift. The next day my creative juices were flowing again. The replacement document that I created was better than the first. And I saved it.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I am capable of moving beyond my mistakes”.
www.prolificliving.com/forgive-yourself-affirmations/

Repost

“Liberty and justice for all” is a divine idea – pure essence. It is universal potential and unformed creation. It lives within the “one mind common to all individual men. ¹” When one affirms this idea, movement within the cosmic field of infinite possibilities begins to formulate it into existence.  Depending on the embodiment ² of the affirmation, and coupled with ensuing action, the idea becomes a universal experience.   

I notice whenever I see the slightest evidence of my faith being realized, I have a tendency to retreat to my comfort zone, affirming all is well. To the degree that I withdraw, the motion of creation subsides.   I must stay the course.

For example, several years ago a labyrinth was created for my backyard.  As I traveled the circling path in meditation, I would sometimes imagine all the people on earth walking with me. Together we would chant:

We Are One! We Are One! ~ In the Spirit, we are One!
Let the love flow, So, the world will know, ~ We are one in Love.³”

In time, the structure began to reflect the wear and tear of the seasons of wind, rain and storm.  Not liking how it looked, I uprooted it and covered all the twists and turns of my daily walk with topsoil.

 Recently, Chris and I were talking about my yard (called, “the sanctuary”) and she said to me, “You know, even though you cannot see the labyrinth, it is still there.”   Those words catapulted me into a contemplative meditation. 

 I asked myself, where did you leave off in the process-in-healing; or, have you forgotten? When the atmosphere of your soul got scary, what unresolved feelings and emotions were covered up, so everything would look pretty and in place? 

With many feelings and emotions still well-covered I practice the art and science of Spiritual Mind Treatment ⁴ for the purpose of peace on earth and good will towards all people. I affirm ‘There is only One Infinite Life; that Life is Love and that Life of Love is my life right now and is the life of everyone.’ In moments of realization, I KNOW there is no separation; all apparent inequities are the out picturing of ignorance and limitation.   The limerick of my childhood affirms this awakened awareness:

Red, brown, yellow, Black and white;
They are all precious In His sight.⁵

Then I am reminded of Ernest Holmes’ words, “(Treatment) is not a process of saying ‘Peace’ when there is no peace. ⁶”  

 I THINK I GOT IT!!! In other words, until my word of truth is seen by all, my work is incomplete.

So, I return to the sanctuary of my being. I walk the labyrinth of life and my path intertwines with all of the so-called “others.” I hear their stories and I tell them mine. Though painful, my unexamined feelings and emotions are now exposed to the Light. We say to one another, “I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own, without moving to hide it, or fade it, or fix it. ⁷” 

I stay the course. I affirm the truth; I meditate on the truth; I do spiritual mind treatment about truth.

And, I ask myself, what is mine to do?

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This Weeks Affirmation

I know that my good is always wherever I am.
By Keith D. Childers

(Revisited)
I and a friend were talking about the spirituality of gardening. The conversation began with us both acknowledging that the vegetables she is now growing in her garden, were comfort foods in our youth.  In this nostalgic mood, I remember my mother having a vegetable garden in the backyard, and the front yard being filled to overflowing with petunias of every color. My friend showed me pictures of the growth process. I learned a lot.

I began to recall a class project from grade school that taught the basic relationship between the seed, the soil, and the plant. Therefore, when I first heard this analogy used in The Science of Mind to describe how thoughts become things, it was easy to accept the concept.  Through practice, trial and error, and experience, it is more apparent than ever before the far-reaching implications of the creative process that is always taking place in life.

~ ~ ~ ~

I begin to imagine planet Earth swirling through space, carrying within itself an energy field capable of feeding all of its inhabitants throughout all time. ‘Just think’, I tell myself, ‘Beneath the surface of the ground there is a vibrating, pulsating mystery, that yields everything needed to sustain and maintain a healthy body.’ Mother Earth is never exhausted or depleted of its nature to create that which nourishes; and she always leaves behind a seed within every plant, guaranteeing a future gift of the same kind. Its self-givingness is endless. Not only does it provide food for our bodies (like my mother’s vegetable garden); It provides beauty for our soul’s delight (like my mother’s flower garden). 

~ ~ ~ ~

A limited vision of Truth may see no further than the farmer’s delivery to the supermarket where a selection of fresh, frozen, or canned versions of “our daily bread” are available. Sometimes, with a limited view, it may even appear that the store is “sold out”, while the reality is, we are eternally unified with a storehouse of consciousness that is forever expanding.

But wait, there’s more!

~ ~ ~ ~

The great teacher, Jesus, came along and told us: “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” (John 4:32 NIV) I believe what he is sharing here is his discovery that not only are our bodies provided everything it needs to live successfully on the planet; our minds, when properly nourished, likewise are provided all that brings about satisfaction and fulfillment ~ all that brings great comfort. 

I imagine an energy field that surrounds all the inhabitants of the earth. I imagine this Light moving in, below, above, and through every living being. I imagine this Life Force as a vibrating, pulsating mystery that yields everything needed to sustain and maintain a healthy mind.   I imagine the “food” Jesus references is a perfect metaphor for the abundant and inexhaustible supply of Peace, Harmony, Love, Wisdom, Joy, Order, Beauty, and Wholeness that is ever-present. These qualities may be likened to seeds that may be planted in our minds, creating thoughts about the things we desire in life; i.e., health, fulfilling relationships, successful careers, sufficient finances, and more. I believe this food for thought is the very essence of Life Itself, and is the Great Comforter.

~ ~ ~ ~

The awareness of this phenomenon, this miracle, this divine connection that provides for every living being is obscured when you and I limit our vision of Truth based on the opinions of others, or a popular worldview. You and I must plant our own garden, realizing that we reap what we sow. It is Spiritual Law.

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This Week’s Affirmation

How grateful am I for all the abundance in my life right now and for all my abundance I have yet to discover!

By Keith Childers

(Revisited)
It was a peaceful, quiet morning; and, like Brother Lawrence, I was lost in sacred daydreaming as I stood at my kitchen
sink washing dishes. All of a sudden, I heard a bird screaming for help. Yes, I mean really screaming.

Although I had never heard that sound before, I immediately knew the little one was crying out to me. There was a
Great Mystery within me that knew it was my responsibility to provide the help needed. I followed the sound until I
realized the little one was trapped inside the chimney of my house. I supported the little one in re-gaining its freedom,
the issue was soon resolved and the bird, once more sang its song of life, and I resumed my daydreaming.

I began to imagine what the bird may have told its greater community. I imagined it saying things like, ‘I was so lucky;’ ‘it was a miracle;’ ‘an angel appeared;’ ‘I felt the Presence;’ ‘I heard the voice of God;’ ‘my Redeemer lives;’ and other sentiments in an effort to express the mystical experience it had just encountered.

As I continued my reverie of the events of the morning, the song “We Are the World” came to mind; particularly the line, “we’re saving our own lives.” I thought how easy it is to assume that another’s trouble (the trapped bird) has nothing to do with me, while actually, it is part of my very own household. 

~~ ~ ~

I recall times in my life when I felt trapped, with no feasible way out of an issue, be it health, finances, relationships, or grief. Like the little bird, my heart affirmed: “There is good for me and I ought to have it.”  Angels unaware rushed to my aid. Although they were ordinary people like you and me, I now know, no matter what; it was always the presence of God answering my call. I now understand, all life is God Life.

~ ~ ~

As I contemplate the Omnipresence of Spirit, I realize the one who calls is also the one who answers. It is The Presence of God living IN, THROUGH, and AS humanity. It is this Phenomenon that unifies us as one.  I tell myself that the affinity, connection, empathy, and kinship felt for another are a sure indication of universal interdependence. There is a silent communication that takes place between all beings. It is Holy Communion.

I realize, the Great Mystery that lives deep within me, hears the call of the deep within all of humanity, and ‘When Deep calls unto Deep…Deep Answers.’ It is through ‘lowly listening’ that the still small voice is heard, revealing what is ours to do. Yes, our Higher Power, the Indwelling God, always hears and always answers.

Affirmative prayer and meditation are practices that support us in attaining and maintaining this awareness.

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This Week’s Affirmation

There is a Magnificence within me that is ever available to serve…
When I call on It, It always responds…
My needs and desires are always met!

By Robbin G. Ruffner, RScP, Emeritus

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
~ Phillipians 4:8 ~

“We are not bound by the past unless we choose to be.” ~ “Principle is not bound by precedent.”
~ Ernest Holmes ~

We need not live a life of regrets; i.e., the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” syndrome. Remember “now” is the accepted time to go forth, fully-orbed with what you know in this moment, and with confidence, do what needs to be done by and through you, bringing a sense of fulfillment and joy. Our inherent freedom “to choose” is leeway enough to determine the quality of life we experience for ourselves as well as how it affects those within our circle of influence.

Making wise choices, powered by our inherent freedom to create our own lives, is the by-product of defining (to ourselves) our core values, and our personal beliefs. This takes commitment. It means taking time every day to affirm the vision we imagine as our life. When our choices, feelings, thoughts, and actions are in alignment, the universe responds by corresponding with our innermost convictions. Our choices affect others in a beneficial way to the degree our core values embrace a world that works for everyone.

This does not mean we are exempt from the effects of the choices others make. After all, we are all unified in the One Mind. However, it does mean we have within our power to choose to negate or conform to another’s viewpoint.

The untrained mind may inadvertently react impulsively and emotionally. To paraphrase Howard Thurman, they may feel justified “to give as good as they get when it seems someone has done violence to their self-respect and decent regard.” They may be inclined to retaliate in kind, as they ‘consider the source.’ This attitude may very well perpetuate an undesired climate of darkness.

On the other hand, the trained mind has a tendency to respond with deliberate thoughtfulness; always considering “The Source.” This high road of distinguishing ‘the deed from the doer’ may seem like weakness, while actually, it takes great strength of character. It is a consciousness of unity, of Light.

The difference in how one responds to the people, places, and things one encounters, may be a determining factor regarding health, wealth, and peace of mind, individually; as well as a determining factor in the world we live in, collectively.

With mindfulness of our true nature, we make choices that yield ease, grace, and a sense of well-being. So, it is with unwavering faith, we move forward, anchored in a peace that surpasses all human understanding.

The good news is, we are forever evolving into our greater-yet-to-be.

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This Week’s Affirmation

“The power of choice is my greatest strength.”

https://thegoodpositive.com/positive-affirmations-for-decision-making/