“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
~ from, The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 ~

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“Each human being is endowed with free will and can thus choose to experience freedom or bondage, abundance or lack, joy or misery, all of which lie within the Infinite Inclusivity of God.”
~ Core Concept Five, Foundations of Science of Mind ~

The above statements of Truth affirm the nature of being human. 

While there may be role models, trailblazers, and leaders whose ideas about life and living may influence our path; nonetheless, until we agree with, and follow the inner urgings of our own soul, there is a tendency to experience what is called ‘divine discontent.’ Yes, there is that within us that longs to express our uniqueness and is compelled to do so if we are to experience true happiness.

Rev. Michael Beckwith tells us: “The pain pushes until the vision pulls.”  The pain of living out of integrity with one’s inherent nature by succumbing to someone else’s will, is often the impetus that pushes us into the Light that reveals our divine birthright. The moment we begin to see the possibilities stretched before us; is the moment the vision begins to pull us into action. 

Actualizing the vision of ‘live and let live’ is a journey in and of itself. The vision, or affirmation of Truth must become our standard, principle, or goal. We begin to consciously move in the direction of our vision by aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with the quality of life we desire to express.  

It is easy to look out into the world and judge the cross-currents of energy that create negative conditions of separation based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identification, politics, academia, and the various structures we build to make ourselves known.  The challenge is to remain in harmony with our inner convictions regardless of outer appearances.

We need not wait for the world to change. We must “be the change we desire to see in the world.” Such a commitment ignites strength, courage, and insight that would otherwise lie dormant.  It means letting God be God in, through, and as us, proving, ‘that which is within us is greater than that which is in the world.’

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No matter what your present circumstances are (personally or collectively); remember, the nature of God cannot be withheld, compromised, or destroyed.  Victor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning, tells how he practiced his inherent freedom to choose the thoughts he would think; and, by so doing, survived four different concentration camps in World War ll. Yes, once peace and harmony are established in the inner realms of our own mind, the desired results follow in the outer realms of the world … in ways we cannot even imagine.

In the final analysis, it is our essence, the Presence of God within us that we desire to express as us. It is the Love, Peace, Harmony, Abundance, Joy, Wisdom, Creativity, Unity, and Beauty in our lives that bring us fulfillment. When these qualities are expressed, we become like a magnet that draws them all back to us. They show up as our health, wealth, relationships, work, play, neighbors, family, and friends. We are divinely guided regarding the personal role we play in our community, our nation, and our world that yields a world that works for everyone. We become a beneficial presence in the world. 

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I break free and choose FREEDOM. The world will change.”

Keith Childers

“What thou seest, that thou beest.”
~ Plato ~

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“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
~ Julian of Norwich ~

The concept, ‘What you’re looking at, you’re looking with’ is often heard in New Thought circles. However, the same idea is found in the ancient wisdom of the sacred texts of the world. Currently, the idea is being discovered, taught, and espoused by just about every segment of society, be it the field of science, religion, psychology, philosophy, self-help books, life coaches, as well as parents, and teachers. The concept is conveyed in various ways for various purposes that may seem unrelated.

While the words and context describing “thoughts are things” may differ, the undergirding effect is the same. The concept, simply put, is, ‘whatever you imagine, believe, think about, and accept in your mind as being real, is projected as your life and becomes the people, places, and things you encounter.’  In other words, you perceive life according to your inner world of thought and feelings.

From a spiritual perspective, individuals who consistently engage in practices such as meditation, life visioning, affirmative prayer, inspirational literature, journaling, and other such mental exercises, report a heightened awareness of the essence of Love, Peace, Harmony, Abundance, Beauty, Wisdom, Joy, etc., permeating their entire being; i.e., the totality of their spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical nature. 

This Self-Awareness can be likened to a spiritual immune system. In other words, while no one is exempt from the experience of adverse conditions that show up in the world, the one anchored in a consciousness of the presence and power of God (Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence) as the core of their being sees life from a different perspective. The master teacher, Jesus, put it this way, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” 

The enlightened consciousness immediately pierces the illusion of struggle, fear, disease, division, defensiveness, judgment, jealousy, victimhood, opinions of right/wrong, etc. by affirming the Truth that is always present regardless of appearance. Like a contagious virus that succumbs to a neutralizing antidote; the vision of Love is an irresistible force for healing.   

The keen insight of those who practice the presence of God in all things becomes inspired. They perceive the great possibilities inherent in all things. They are filled with the wisdom of the Divine and intuitively know what is theirs to do. They become a beneficial presence in the world. 

In our human experience, it is natural to duplicate Spirit’s nature, which is self-giving. As we give to that which we desire to expand and see more in our lives and the lives of our fellow world citizens, the entire planet is lifted up, experiencing a greater degree of its greater-yet-to-be. As we give our portion of the universal energy of love in the form of service, prayer, teaching, forgiving, financial support, being in community with people of like-thinking, and other measurable ways for a greater world experience for all, we bear witness to the sustaining substance of the things we hoped for.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I am what I think about and that thought is only LOVE.”

Mary Jane LaBonte

(Repost)

“In the Science of Mind, we do not say everything is all right when it is all wrong. We do not say peace when there is no peace, but rather we try to discover what is wrong and why we do not have peace. 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.”
~ Ernest Holmes, Living the Science of Mind~

“Crying out to Life, beseeching It to be good, has no effect whatsoever upon It; It already is good. Asking It to give you life produces no good results; It has already incarnated Itself in you, as you. But inward awareness unifies the intellect with Life and binds the personal man back to the Universal Presence. This is what is meant by spiritual understanding and realization.”
~ Ernest Holmes, “The Art of Life” ~

Breaking down the barriers of limited thought that untrained murmurings of the mind erect each time it bemoans: ‘ain’t it awful’ and ‘what terrible times we’re living in,’ is a practice, not for the faint of heart.  Rising above the human fact to the spiritual reality is not always easy.  It is, nonetheless, a necessary undertaking in the process of aligning with the Truth that sets us free from the hypnotic spell of error thought. 

Some would say the discords of the world have always been, and there is nothing that can be done about it. And, to some degree, this certainly seems to be the case. The Master Teacher, Jesus, told his followers: “In this world you will have trouble.”  “But,” he goes on to say, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”  And, he made it clear that he was not an exception, saying: ‘The things that I do you may do also, even greater things.’ (Wow, no human ego here!) 

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Once we (individuals) consciously tap into and activate the inner power of mind, enabling ourselves to choose the direction of our lives that works best for us, there soon follows an awakened awareness of our union with the collective consciousness that out-pictures as world events. With this revelation, we are called, once again, to activate the power of mind, enabling ourselves to consciously choose thoughts, words, and actions that contribute to a world that works for everyone.

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People like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Joan-of-Arc, and Siddhartha Gautama, to name a few, have made significant contributions to the ever-evolving consciousness of the world. Yet, most of the light bearers of humanity are people just like you and just like me whose names may never be recorded as such.  Yes, this creative power is within every one of us. Let us become the change we desire to see in the world.

The first order of action is the realization of God’s Omnipresence; i.e., the Peace of God is the potential where war seems to be; the Oneness of Spirit is the potential where separation and exclusion seem to be; the Wholeness of The Divine as health is the potential right where disease seems to be; and, Perfect Love casts out all fear. Remember, enlightened thoughts supersede old unenlightened ones and cause new things to appear. 

Next, with this God-consciousness deeply anchored in our being, ours is to activate the God-potential through thoughts, words, and actions. Let us go forth, now, making a difference in the world. Let us deepen our faith, knowing we are divinely guided to do what is ours to do, thereby, actualizing the vision of a world that works for everyone. 

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This Weeks Affirmation

“I Am Light and Love and Peace! I take this knowing into the world and make it a better place.”

Judy Hilley

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you really are.” 
~ Carl Jung ~

“In the beginning was The Word; and The Word was with God; and The Word was God.”
~ John 1:1 ~

“Our word of power can be spoken in fullness only as we recognize the unity of all life, only as the good we desire for the self includes all others.” 
~ Ernest Holmes, This Thing Called Life ~ 

In response to the request ‘Tell me about yourself,’ the narrative that follows usually begins with the words, “I am.” The story may include “I am” statements about one’s physical, mental, and emotional condition at the time. It may include “I am” statements about one’s relationship to another, one’s career, and financial status at the time. It may include hobbies, such as, ‘I am a cook,’ ‘I am a gardener,’ ‘I am a photographer,’ etc.  In any case, the words “I am” describe one’s experience in the world.

While these statements may be factual, they nonetheless exist in the human realm where change is always taking place.  In “old school thinking,” the one seeking a new experience would change jobs, change partners, or move to a new location, and very often experience more of the same they left behind. However, Ernest Holmes teaches, “Change your thinking, change your life.”  With this approach, you may very well make the same changes; however, the new experience you are seeking is attained. The kind of thinking referenced here can only be done in the solitude of your own being. 

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“I AM” is a great mystery that lies within us.   When we are engaged in quiet contemplation, It is the still small voice that we hear. It is the Originating Word that is the beginning of everything that is. It is the Creative Power, forever proclaiming Itself into existence. That which I AM is fully imbued and infused in every cell, nerve, tissue, organ, fiber, bone, and muscle of every being. I AM is The Presence of the soul’s sincere desire; i.e., Love, Peace, Harmony, Joy, Wisdom, Intelligence, Power, etc. To the degree that we identify with this, our spiritual nature, it is to that degree that we begin to experience the power of that which the indwelling I AM is. It is within every one of us!

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It is when we understand the nature of our entire being, the human and the divine, that we accept with clarity and conviction the Truth of who we are at the core of our being. The Law of Mind in Action receives the direct impress of our thought and acts upon it. Wholeness is revealed. 

It seems reasonable to say that when we align ourselves with the nature of our Higher Self or the Creative I AM, the qualities we seek for fulfillment are realized as they express in, through, and as the person, place, or thing we desire. 

I AM The Way 
of Love, Peace, Harmony, Joy, Wisdom, Intelligence, Power.

I AM The Truth
that sets you free from all belief in limitation.

I AM The Life
that energizes and unifies all as One.

I AM is God; Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent.

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This Weeks Affirmation

“Today I say Yes to the Universe for all that I am, and the Universe says Yes to me—and it is always today!”

Angela “Chris” Beam

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” ~ Rumi ~

 “There is one mind common to all individual men. Every man is an inlet to the same and to all of the same.” 
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

“…It will be done just as you believed it would.” 
~ Matthew 8:13 ~

“Cosmic Consciousness is the perception of the Whole. 
~ Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind p.581.8 ~

Mystics, philosophers, scientists, theologians, and deep thinkers throughout the ages have arrived at the same conclusion; i.e., there is a Presence permeating the universe that always hears and always answers, which is another way of saying, ‘The Presence responds by corresponding’ with one’s perception of Reality. 

The Presence is Universal Creative Energy through which all things are possible. Its nature is Pure, Unadulterated Consciousness. It is Omnipotence (all-powerful); Omniscience (knows Itself as all); Omnipresence (everywhere at once). It is a Power for Good, emanating Love, Peace, Harmony, Beauty, Wisdom, Abundance, Joy, etc., endlessly. It is the First Cause of all life forms.  This Originating Life Force is God. 

I love what Emerson says regarding humanity’s accessibility to God-Consciousness, as follows: “He that is once admitted to the right of reason is made a freeman of the whole estate. What Plato has thought, he may think; what a saint has felt, he may feel; what at any time has befallen any man, he can understand. Who hath access to this universal mind is a party to all that is or can be done, for this is the only and sovereign agent.”

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Spiritually speaking, the word “consciousness” is often used to describe one’s awareness of universal principles (individual or the collective). However, there is a vast difference between being aware of a principle and actually embodying it as a guidepost for one’s life.  The embodiment of the divine qualities of Spirit, coupled with the belief that they are operating in the midst of your affairs, all the time, is a realization of The Divine, or, God-Consciousness. 

Staying anchored in the Consciousness of Truth during “trying times” requires courage and self-discipline. Daily spiritual practices that affirm the Truth regardless of what the form looks like, are essential. Cultivating this kind of consciousness often takes place in the Secret Place of the Most High. The one who is diligent in moving in the direction of their dreams pierces the veil of illusion, and on that clear day, sees the magnificence of The One stretched into infinity, and bears witness as the former things fall away, and new forms are birthed.   

Yes, the one who understands that God-Consciousness is always ‘for us’ and never ‘against us,’ perceives spiritual attributes operating in, through, and as the physical, material, mental, and emotional experiences of our lives. 

And, so it is!

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This Weeks Affirmation

I AM always connected. Peace be with me!

Keith Childers