“The highest attitude of mind, from which all else springs, is one of perfect calm and absolute trust in the Spirit.” — Ernest Holmes
As a new Science of Mind student, I would passionately pray my spiritual mind treatment. Immediately I would speculate how my prayer was going to be answered. My prayers were usually about money since I believed that there wasn’t enough to go around. I would wait for the mail to show up only to find an empty mailbox. I would check to see if any clients called with potential business, but no one called.
When I complained to my spiritual mentor, she reminded that it was none of my business where or how my good will appear. She said, “If you continue to look for it, you haven’t developed your faith.”
I discovered there are three steps to building faith: Hope, trust and gratitude. Hope is a sense of doubtful expectation. We hope something good will happen to us but underneath, doubt and fear linger. Those doubts and fears produce a type of anxiety called waiting. Waiting for things to change, waiting for circumstances to get better, etc.
As we release the doubts and fears, we begin to develop trust. We have a deeper conviction in the creative process of life and develop greater patience. The stress of waiting is replaced by patience and a sense of calmness that all is well.
Here was the important part for me: refrain from searching for the demonstration of good. Instead, it was essential to give thanks that what I desired was already received. Gratitude is the expansiveness of faith.
In today’s uncertainty, I engage this practice quite often. It is so easy to be swayed by circumstances in the world. I recognize my fears and beliefs and ask what is mine to do. Then I shift into trust, knowing I am not alone. I look around and express gratitude knowing that something greater is being revealed.
I learned a long time ago, it is none of my business how my prayer will be demonstrated. I now give thanks that it is already received. Lesson learned.
Affirmation: I give thanks that what I desire is already received.
“People encounter God under shady oak trees, on riverbanks, at the tops of mountains, and in long stretches of barren wilderness. God shows up in whirlwinds, starry skies, burning bushes and perfect strangers.” Barbara Brown Taylor
Growing up my experience of sanctuary was a tall building with a steeple, stained glass windows, large looming statues, and lots of marble everywhere. There were so many rules in the sanctuary, one of them required being still and quiet. Only whispers were allowed unless you were praying or singing. When I was there I recited prayers I had memorized and followed the instructions of the adults. There was no laughing allowed, of course, that rule alone brought out the giggles at the most inopportune moments.
I never felt good enough to be in the sanctuary. I was there to confess my sins and my unworthiness.
Today my experience of sanctuary is sacred space and can be anywhere I feel connection with the Divine. Sacred space can be found in the forest, at the beach, or out to dinner with friends. It can be realized when playing with a puppy, helping a neighbor, or going for a walk in the park. My home is my sacred sanctuary, a place where I feel love, peace, freedom and harmony.
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty in the world, realizing our connection with the Divine can be a challenge. Try this simple exercise to reconnect when feeling out of sorts. Look around your space and see whatever is before you with eyes of gratitude. Take a couple of deep breaths and connect your breath to your heart. Silently say, “I see Love through all I see before me.” Repeat until you feel harmony and peace in your heart. Extend that love out into your neighborhood, community and beyond. Right where you are is sacred space.
Ernest Holmes reminds us of this infinite power. “Deep within each of us there is a place of calm, of peace and security, where trouble and accidents do not occur, where Truth and Love reign supreme and good is the only power. It is to this place that daily we go in the silence of our own minds to commune with the Spirit that is both around us and within us.”
I am grateful to experience the world as my sanctuary. I feel blessed to know God’s unconditional love and grace exist wherever I am.
“When you are inclined to wonder how thoughts and words of love can do much good in resolving various problems, remind yourself that loving words and thoughts seem supercharged with the power to produce good.” – Catherine Ponder
Awareness is everything. I noticed how easily I can be distracted — by ever-changing events around the world, illness updates from friends and family, and whatever the media considers ‘breaking news’ to be at the moment. I am continually having to shift my awareness and attention to focus on life’s goodness and grace.
I am grateful for author Catherine Ponder’s words, reminding us we can shift feelings and experiences when we invoke the healing power of love.
Speak this wisdom from Catherine Ponder aloud and repeat frequently throughout the day.
“Divine Love, expressing through me, now draws to me all that is needed to make me happy and my life complete.”
If you find yourself caught up in the conditions and drama of the world:
“I praise Divine Love that there is a strong, wise way out of this dilemma.”
If you are having challenges with a difficult person:
“I fully and freely release and forgive. I loose and let go all ill feeling. Divine Love produces the perfect result now.”
“True love is made of four elements: loving kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.” –Thich Nant Hanh
When I married my husband Laurence, I knew he was living with polycythemia vera, a rare type of blood cancer. He was managing his symptoms with meds and regular doctor visits. We were convinced that love was more powerful than the disease and that we would not let his diagnosis interfere with our lives. Until it did…
We knew whatever time we had was precious. We never discussed it, but there was a sense of living in the present moment and not taking anything for granted. We had our share of quarrels and arguments but we resolved them quickly and made a pact to never go to bed angry. We appreciated every day and activity. I am so grateful for every moment we shared together. He may not be here physically, but I am so aware of his loving energy.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how precious life is. Everyday for everyone. Our time here on earth is so brief. What if we truly lived knowing our time is limited? What would life be like if we lived with an intention to love and treated each other with respect and appreciation? What if we let disagreements and differences fall away and found a sense of peace—for ourselves and others?
I lost several beloveds this year: my spiritual teacher and friend, Rev. Dr. Marcia Sutton; my beautiful friend, Georgena Grace: my wonderful Aunt Dorothy who took an interest in everything I did; my lovely friend Charlotte, and several other friends and family members. They left before I could tell them what an impact they had on my life and how much I appreciate them.
I live in an awareness of deep gratitude every day. My intention is to live as love to the best of my ability, and to forgive myself when I mess up. I intend to let others know they make a difference in my life. I choose to see love in everyone I meet.
When I need help remembering, I use this prayer from Paul Selig: “On this day I choose to know my worth in love. On this day I decide to know the worth of all in love, regardless of my previous perceptions of them. On this day I know that all are worthy of love, and my sight, my expression affirms this every moment of my waking day. I know that this is so.”
“Joy is prayer; joy is strength, joy is love; Joy is a net of love, by which you can catch souls. “. –Mother Theresa
We can get so caught up in the busy holiday season and can feel stressed, anxious, worried and overwhelmed. We can easily lose sight of the magic of the season.
Wouldn’t it be great to live the holiday through the eyes and awareness of a child? Here are some helpful tips.
1. Be Here Now. There is no tomorrow or later. There is only NOW. Try it for yourself. Spend the next 30 minutes being in the moment. It’s not as easy as it looks.
2. The Universe is abundant. There is no lack in a child’s world. They see the unlimited view. They will ask for what they want. If they get a ‘no’ answer, they’ll ask again. And again. And again.
3. Imagination is everything. We adults live inside the box. We see what we expect to see. Using the imagination expands our reality into unlimited possibilities.
4. Rules are meant to be changed. If you don’t like the outcome of your game, then change the rules. Change your mind. Change your thinking. Just change.
5. Love heals everything. A hug, a kiss or a smile can transform tears into laughter, discord into peace, separation into harmony.
We discover the real joy of Christmas when we take time to slow down, be in the moment, give thanks for our blessings, and share a hug or a smile. Perhaps if we take a moment to see Christmas from the eyes of a child, we can be in awe of the miracle of the season.
“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow, Stood puzzling and puzzling: “How could it be so?” “It came without ribbons. It came without tags.” “It came without packages, boxes or bags!” And he puzzled three hours, til his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.” “Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!” — Dr Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
May the Light of the Season guide your journey with Grace, fill your heart with Love and your life with Infinite Joy.
“My wish for you is that you continue to be who and how you are, to astonish the world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart.” –Maya Angelou
Is it just me, or have you noticed that holiday season feels at times like a rollercoaster of emotions? There are moments of joy, sadness, grief— all in the same day.
We are all a bit fragile during the holidays. Our hearts are especially tender. There are expectations, demands, promises, hopes, fears, worries, and grief all swirling together. We have our own personal challenges to deal with as well as feeling the pain of humanity’s injustices.
We learn to honor the ups and downs. As we practice awareness, we are more willing to accept and allow our emotions and not get thrown off balance.
Here are some simple steps I take to bring me back to balance.
I am grateful for this new day. I embrace this day knowing God is revealed as the radiant, energizing, joy-filled presence of Love. I know Love moves into the very cells of my being bringing light, harmony, and peace. I accept guidance to willingly let go of any resentment, hurt or disappointment. I invite the healing presence of Love to wash away any pain or darkness. I enter this day with a grateful heart and receive all the blessings Love has in store for me. And so it is. Amen.
May the light of the season guide your days with wisdom, fill your heart with peace and surround you with the presence of love.
