“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.
“I am not a victim of the world I see. ” A Course in Miracles
Thank goodness for spiritual practice! I am NOT a victim of the world I see, even when the headlines say otherwise. Some days, actually most days lately, I have to call on every prayer, every practice, every resource to stay centered in Truth. The real Truth, not the nonsense being broadcast on the news.
Do not get attached to what is said on the news. Circumstances change in an instant. Here is the thing–If you and I focus on what is not working, or spend our energy being upset about what we see, it only adds to the low vibration energy that we are hearing about. From Paul Selig, “What you put in darkness calls you to that darkness. What you damn, damns you back. What you bless, blesses you.”
Stand in the truth that anything is possible. Stay in gratitude. Surround yourself with a vision for what you want to see in the world. Connect with other like-minded friends. Join a group and make some phone calls or write letters. Do things that bring you joy. Bless those around you. Make time to play.
Here are some links to prayers and resources to help keep you lifted up in a vibration of hope and love.
“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.”
“Healing isn’t just about a wound having the strength to close. Healing is also about a heart finding the courage to reopen again..”
– John Roedel
Physical wounds are obvious. We can see the cut, clean and bandage it and allow it to heal. Emotional wounds are much more difficult. We cannot see them and they often unknowingly direct and influence our thinking. Thoughts become emotions and emotions dictate our actions.
On the spiritual journey, our work is to be the observer and be aware of our thoughts, emotions, and reactions. As the observer, we are empowered to respond rather than react.
In his book Soul Awakening Practice, James O’Dea states that most of the time we don’t understand our emotions and we try to manipulate and control the outside world so that we won’t be faced with uncomfortable emotions. The wounds of our past are often running our present circumstances and they can limit our relationships and experiences.
There are a few helpful steps we can take to heal emotional wounds:
Be willing to look at the emotional upset. Just like a physical wound, we have to examine what is troubling us and bring it into the light to be healed.
Be willing to let go. Lay down any anger, separation, or belief and observe the situation in a new light. Be willing to forgive.
Be willing to write a new story. Claim your good and declare what you want.
We often struggle with how to forgive and let go. But the good news is — we don’t have to figure it out. We can surrender to Spirit and be willing for a new story to emerge. Give thanks for the gift of awareness and allow the wound to dissolve and peace to emerge.
I am grateful for this simple prayer practice from James O’Dea’s book, Soul Awakening Practice.
“Peace is not the absence of war. It is the pervasive presence of compassionate connection.” – James O’Dea
My heart hurts and I suspect yours does as well. It feels like we move from one daunting experience to another.
In this trying time it can be challenging to know what to pray for. Here are three simple prayers to speak for yourself and others. There is great power in our collective prayers.
The prayer is repeated four times– for yourself, for a loved one, for community and for all humanity. I like to visualize a small pulsating light that grows with each statement and circles the planet.
The Light of God surrounds you. The Love of God enfolds you. The power of God protects you. The Presence of God watches over you. Wherever you are, God is. And all is well. Amen.
This Thing Called You by Ernest Holmes
“When you become confused, stop and listen to your inner calm. Turn from the confusion to that deeper something within. Say:
I am submerged in peace. I am surrounded by peace. I am immersed in peace. There is nothing but peace. Peace–deep, calm, undisturbed.
Visualize humanity surrounded with love and light.
“In the short term and in the long run, how we treat people is our legacy. We have a daily responsibility to stay conscious of that and show up in ways we can be proud of.” – Sam Horn, Talking on Eggshells
It’s holiday time! That exciting time of year when we navigate the emotional terrain of spending time with loved ones. Anxiety, anyone?
Some loved ones are a joy to be with. Others can be more challenging.
Here are some helpful tips:
It’s not about them. We often have attachment as to how we would like our loved ones to behave. In fact WE have lots of ideas about how they can live better lives. Breathe and step back. Practice letting go.
Respond not react. Our loved ones know how to push our buttons. Disable your button. Disconnect from your high mindedness. Dissolve the need to have the answers. Practice responding peacefully and not reacting to situations.
Claim your intention. Instead of imagining all the terrible, awful, dreadful things that the holidays might bring, practice visualizing what you do want. What is your intention? To have loving communication? To have peaceful interactions? To have joy-filled experiences? Set your intention before you venture out the door.
Remember to breathe. Conscious breathing keeps us grounded in our awareness of our divinity and our oneness. Allow your breathing to center yourself in love. Pause and take a breath.
Practice gratitude. Gratitude lifts us up to a higher vibration. In that vibration of love, all things are possible.
I am grateful for my many blessings… I am grateful my family…I am grateful for my body and good health…I am grateful for my home…I bless my neighbors and my co-workers…I bless the economy…I bless our country…I bless my spiritual community…I bless the world.
I am so grateful for you. You are a blessing to the world.
