Practice

It’s one thing to study spirituality out of a book, or to be in a learning environment where you are being supported, where the teacher is there telling you what to do and how to do it. In a learning environment everybody in the room has the same goal, the same mindset. This is the beauty of being in a learning environment. But why do we gather information? Why do we want to learn? We learn so that we can go out and put what we know into practice.

We’re not going to practice in the classroom-that is a false environment. In the classroom you develop the skill. In the world you hone the skill. In the outside world where people can’t even spell the thing you just studied, you are going to deal with people who have no idea what you are talking about.

Does this mean that your information is faulty? Is it an accurate indication that the theories don’t work? Absolutely not! It mean that you must continue on the journey, put into practice all that you have learned. Eventually you will find yourself in a community or an experience where everybody wants to know what you know. Or where everybody knows what you know and is willing to help you facilitate further growth in it.

Do not try and convert others to your way of thinking. When you find that you are the only person in a room who thinks the way you think, it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with what you do and how you do it. It means every time you meet resistance, you have another opportunity to strengthen another love muscle.

Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t question yourself. Know that the resistance is going to come up on different levels with different characters. Each time you face resistance it will evoke different feelings. Those feelings are the development of your stamina. One day very soon, the only feeling any experience will evoke is the opportunity to share, spread, give or receive love.

Iyanla Vanzant

This essay was adapted from In the Meantime published by Fireside Books.

Science of Mind: a guide for spiritual living. December 2007. Vol.80 No.12

Appreciating Our Past

It is easy to be negative about past mistakes and unhappiness. But it is much more healing to look at ourselves and our past in the light of experience, acceptance, and growth. Our past is a series of lessons that advance us to higher levels of living and loving. The relationships we entered, stayed in, or ended taught us necessary lessons. Some of us have emerged from the most painful circumstances with strong insights about who we are and what we want.

Our mistakes? Necessary. Our frustrations, failures, and sometimes stumbling attempts at growth and progress? Necessary too. Each step of the way, we learned. We through exactly the experiences we needed to, to become who we are today. Each step of the way, we progressed.

Is our past a mistake? No. the only mistake we can make is mistaking that for the truth.
The Language of Letting Go
- Melody Beattie

A Message By George Carlin

Words Of Wisdom from a Brilliant Mind...

(Richard Pryor, Bernie Mac, Carlin, and now Bea Arthur... Heaven's definitely where I want to end up!!! )
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The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor... We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete....

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Star Jones: Don't Call It A Comeback, Call It A Revival!!

Having experienced immediate and abundant success early on, through hard work mind you, Star Jones, experienced a series of public challenges. Weight issues, diva accusations, a wedding that became a media spectacular of- some believed questionable taste, television talk show “The View” controversy, the cancellation of her “comeback” cable series, and most recently the failure of her marriage. Through all of her challenges and in full view of haters and detractors, Star, dusted herself off and resumed this journey we call life and living.

Despite what you think of her. Whether our alliances are with her- her lifestyle, attitude, and/or politics and opinions. One can not overlooked the fact that Miss Jones’ has shown continued strength, remarkable grace and resiliency under very public scrutiny. This ability to continually self-reflect and come back in the face of her detractors has impressed me most and primarily regarding Star Jones’ story. Here’s to Miss Jones! As comedian Lonnie Love might say, “You go girl. You Go Star Jones!”

The latest reincarnation of Star happens to be her very first website, “Positively Star.” This website (thus far) has indeed focused on affirmation of personal action, collective accountability, self-esteem, self-improvement, and of course new beginnings. The website is, simply stated, positive and self-reflective. It challenges individual to be more and do more within our communities, personal lives, and current situations- life’s knots and challenges. I encourage all to support Star’s “Positive” reincarnation.

Happiness Is Up To You

God Said NO
By Julie Serrano

I asked God to take away my habit. God said, no. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, no. His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, no. Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it is not granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, no. I give you blessings; happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, no. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, no. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things, that I might enjoy life. God said, no. I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me... God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Thanks 4 sharing this with me Julie! I especially like, "I give you blessings; happiness is up to you."

We can choose happiness at any time. Its "clutter" that often distracts us from happiness. I use the term clutter purposely. No matter how we define and label our distractions, in the "mind of God" or the grand scheme of the universe, all of our issues, challenges, fears, are but clutter. According to A Course In Miracles, the only thing that's real is God and God is love, everything else is an illusion. Therefore, if it ain't God its an illusion. If it ain't love, it's an illusion. A Course In Miracle further asserts, there are only two emotions- love and fear. If we're not loving, we are oprating from fearing. A mind consumed with fear is a cluttered mind.

Clutter encompasses so very much, looking for love, loss of love, fear of love, fear of not being loved, addictions, hatreds, phobias and a multitude of isms, financial concerns, career concerns, as well demons from past, present, and anticipated. A cluttered mind is an unhappy mind preoccupied with illusions. An unhappy mind creates unhappiness. Unhappiness attracts unhappy people, places, themes and situations. A life consumed by unhappy people, places, themes and situations is the unhappy life defined. Happy people strive to face, manage, and transcend the clutter of our minds and lives. Simply put a happy mind chooses happiness. Therefore, happiness is indeed a choice.