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Things that we hear or read about don’t always resonate with us. The reason might be because we aren’t ready to receive the message. Or it could be that the message is not right for us at that time—and perhaps may never be. It could also by that the message is wrong. A message that separates us from The Divine is wrong or inappropriate. But, another reason that something we hear or read doesn’t resonate with us could be because we have taken the message at face value and not looked below the surface to the deeper meaning.
A Course in Miracles states that “I am responsible for what I see. I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide upon the goal I would achieve.” Considering just the first sentence, I wonder how it is that I am responsible for the things I see. If a snake crawls into my field of vision, am I responsible for the snake’s actions? From a certain vantage point, this sentence doesn’t resonate with me. The second expression, “I choose the feelings I experience,…” resonated with me immediately and helped explain the first sentence even though I’m not fully convinced of the validity of the first one, and it still doesn’t resonate with me on all levels. The point I’m making is not to demonstrate my ignorance or insightfulness, but to say to all of us that it is okay if we don’t resonate with everything a religious or spiritual teacher says. He or she might be wrong. Or, they might be right but we’re not ready to accept the truth. Or, we may need to dig a little deeper to get at the meat of what’s being said.
Just as our words follow our thoughts, our lives also follow our thoughts. Those who think and meditate on kindness, love, forgiveness, grace, sharing, and the nature of The Divine lead lives that show those positive characteristics. In addition, they attract more of the same positive qualities into their lives, and they find themselves surrounded by individuals who share the same qualities.
Individuals who might not be positive by nature but who come into contact with positive people can find their lives transformed. The power of a presence that looks for the good, believes in other people, trusts, cares, and loves is an overcoming force and at times a life-changing vortex that touches all who come into contact with him or her—some in small ways and others in big ways. Mother Teresa, the prophet Muhammad, Martin Luther King, Jr., Siddharta Gautama (the first Buddha), Mahatma Ghandi, and Jesus of Nazareth are some clear examples. But, anyone can make a difference in their own life as well as in the lives of multitudes by simply choosing to think upon the positive and treating all brothers and sisters as if they are worthy of our utmost love and appreciation.
Our words have power to heal or destroy. Most of our speech doesn’t result in those extremes, but the words we speak are seldom—if ever—neutral. Another way of saying it is that at any moment in time our words heal or create dis-ease.
This is merely a fact, and not a cause for guilt. If our words are not loving and forgiving then we simply recognize it and move on. At times we tend to fall into negative thinking. When we recognize that we are having negative thoughts which are producing negate emotions, we can change our thoughts, and that action will result in more positive emotions and speech. Or, we can change our words first and quite often our thoughts will follow. I have experienced times when I was teasing someone and inadvertently paid them a compliment. Their appreciation seemed to transform the exchange, so I eased up on my teasing and my words became kinder.
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Religious RecoveryOur purpose is to help individuals to heal who have been injured by religion or the religious. We welcome your comments and questions. Archives
December 2018
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