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October-December, 2004

Keep it Simple… Peace First

by Rev. Debbie Bolton, O.M.C.

I just celebrated a birthday, and many things drifted through my mind. It became a time to reflect, a time to realize all my blessings, a time to appreciate others, and a time to smile gently (even chuckle) at myself. In the course of reviewing my life, a large portion of the reflections were of my spiritual path — you know the one that is sometimes rocky, other times like gliding on cool sand on a hot day, and sometimes it even comes to a complete halt. Road block barricades big, red and white. Other times with many forks in the road. Which way to go?

I think to myself, if I had one piece of advice to give to someone stepping on to one of those paths, what would that advice be? Now, I could offer such advice and I do know what that tidbit would be, but more importantly, I also know I am not here to give advice. I am here to facilitate a “process” and yes it is a process! Cuz, like me they too shall do the work of stumbling on rocks in the path, being confused at the crossroads, maybe even hop off the path at times. Still, I do feel I can share a tidbit that I have found valuable — always, always, always remember — peace first, and keep it simple.

I learn this lesson over and over. And perhaps one day I will get it all the time instead of most of the time, which is better than where I used to be, which was some of the time. (My mind healing partner, Michelle and I frequently giggled early on in our journey together, that we should just tattoo a big P on our foreheads to help us remember!)

I have learned practice is the key. Practice until it is second nature or on automatic pilot. Our receptionist frequently hears me breathe deep and thinks it is a big sigh. Nope, it’s practice. Seeking and soaking in the peace. I don’t know if anyone can relate, but one of my re-current behaviors was to get into that Miracles book, bury my nose, furrow my brow, highlight the good stuff, and try to figure out what is said, then analyze it (recovering Virgo, analytical, perfectionist) memorize it, then get exhausted and put it on the mental shelf! Finally, I just sat back, remembered “Peace First,” took a breath, and decided to just read on. It will come clear. It always does. Be patient, trust, chill! And sure enough, unexpectedly, with ease will come a new morsel of understanding, reaffirming once again that this is a process.

The other lesson I learned from returning as much as possible to “aiming for peace first” is this. Many times, when I asked Holy Spirit for guidance, unbeknownst to me, what I really had was an agenda. I was asking for what I wanted (or thought I wanted), and ultimately may not really be in my best interest, or my path. In other words, there was frequently an attachment there.

Opening myself to peace rather than specified (agendized!) guidance has led me to more discoveries. Relationships faded away that may not have been for my greatest good, activities surfaced which brought enhancing situations in to my life, and all in all my faith has been strengthened. It led to discoveries of areas where I may be using projection, denial, etc., and has allowed me to see them, ask for Guidance, and release them. All in time when it was right for me.

Doing the “peace first always” process has also led to the discovery that there were times when I segmented my life, giving this problem to Spirit, that relationship to me (uh, ego), that job search for Spirit, this issue for me, like sharing M&M’s — ego… Spirit, one for me, one for You! When I came to this realization, a light bulb went off and I began the practice of going to peace and turning to Spirit for all things all the time, everywhere, in the store, car, shower or workplace.

My mind healing partner Michelle goes to Spirit when she picks out her watermelons. Why not? It’s wonderful! Needless to say, a big smile surfaces whenever I buy watermelon, and I value the lesson learned.

Peace can be ours as we remember. Joy can be in all those little things we may take for granted. Spirit will guide us if we let It, and I sense Spirit loves us to ask. I ask to be open to the guidance of Spirit, and trust in Its wisdom.

My gratitude extends greatly to all of us as we share our experiences and heal our minds.

Rev. Debbie Bolton is a Pathways of Light minister living in Edina, Minnesota.

© 2004, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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October-December, 2004

Election Day November 2, 2004

by Rev. Therese Anne Ward, O.M.C.

Nationally we are focused on Bush vs Kerry for President of the United States of America. Then there are the states electing their congressmen and women, and local cities electing officials from mayors to commissioners to you name it.

The “race” my husband and I have been personally working with is on a county level. Our daughter-in-law, Jude Julie Reinhardt Ward is on the ballot for Cambell county Circuit Court Judge. There are also three men running for this position.

Let me say straight up, this is my first active (other than voting) work in politics and it is a challenging arena for practicing ACIM.

It seems the whole voting system has its foundation built on the idea of separation. One person vs. the other; the us vs. them of political parties and of course someone must lose in order for another someone to win. Ignorance of a world asleep.

We are sleeping and dreaming chaotic dreams. In our fear and guilt we are imagining a world of separation and lack, punishment and loss.

It is said that politics is dirty business, and with just this limited exposure to it I’m observing the cruel tricks and calculating, strategic deceptions and outright bald face lying that goes on in these “children’s” games. As an aside, I’m also reminded of the summer Olympic “games” being held in Athens, Greece. Again the win or lose paradigm.

So where did I find myself in my daily ACIM reading yesterday? Right where I needed to be — T.30.Vl, The Justification for Forgiveness, where I’m told that anger is never justified. Pardon is always justified and forgiveness recognized as merited will heal. It gives the miracle its strength to overlook illusions.

And today — T.30.Vll, The New Interpretation, where I’m set straight about “my scripts” and how the day should be. I quote paragraph 4: “A common purpose is the only means whereby perception can be stabilized, and one interpretation given to the world and all experiences here. In this shared purpose is one judgment shared by everyone and everything you see. You do not have to judge, for you have learned one meaning has been given everything, and you are glad to see it everywhere, unchanged by circumstance. And so you offer it to all events, and let them offer you stability.”

And so I hear, “Wake up in Oneness. Wake up in Divine Order. Wake up in your brother as your one Self.” And so I say thank You, Father, for Your perfect Son, and in his glory will I see my own.

So I let go of my script in this political drama and my attachment to outcome as I merrily knock on doors and put up signs in a peaceful state.

Just to reinforce what I was learning from Holy Spirit, a few days later in The Manual for Teachers, #2 on page 5 — Who Are Their Pupils, put a new spin on this whole business of political races; that is the miracle! Thank you, thank you.

Rev. Therese Ward is a Pathways of Light minister living in Cold Spring, Kentucky.

© 2004, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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October-December, 2004

Pouring Rains Eventually Baptize

by Rev. Bob Thompson, O.M.C.

Recently I have had about 20 lengthy and intensive interactions, with a friend sharing my home, who has been going through multiple personal crises. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross frequently came to mind during these emotion-filled and thought-provoking episodes because of the grieving my friend was enmeshed in.

Repeatedly sliding into the different steps that a dying person may go through: denial (Why me God?), anger (at the whole world, God, or self, or all of the above), depression (no way out), acceptance (of what is, and finally, peace) and even bargaining (God, I promise to do such and such if you will only do this or that).

In the beginning, it seemed quite chaotic to me. But as I learned to recognize the continued reappearances of those five siblings: denial, anger, depression, acceptance (and bargaining), it was obvious that they received so much attention because this was my friend’s many-faceted approach to coping with the death of one’s perceived greatest personal treasures, as well as a lifelong way of life. Occasionally, when the emotions and vocabulary were strong, I initially forgot that I was looking into a mirror, forgetting that my friend is myself, and that he or she, is really me, speaking to myself.

The short of it is that I have been in intensive “mirror therapy” for an unusually long, and deeply moving period of time. Perhaps this is inevitable, when one truly listens.

We have both been blessed with new views and perspectives. We both know now that we have gifted each other and self. Our shared path into the verbal and emotional mazes of fear has been truly a heroic journey. We have dared to look into the many faces of fear — the monsters of self. These fears with their many faces, frequently appear in so many of our daily mirrors. But my friend and I, after weeks of emotional and fearful searching, have only found that every mirror contains only our own fearful and sometimes puzzled faces.

We have explored new territories into self and claimed them as our own. Two pioneers, committed to steadily inching along towards peace and happiness. Our progress is obvious to us both. We are in agreement that neither of us will ever be the same.

A great way to enrich yourself is to listen to a troubled friend. And if you really want to be rich, listen a lot.

Rev. Bob Thompson is a Pathways of Light minister living in Portage, Wisconsin.

© 2004, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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July-September, 2004

Highlighted Minister — Rev. Barbara Kraetsch

by Rev. Barbara Kraetsch, O.M.C.

I have been on a journey of learning to trust for almost my entire life. I first recognized a need within me to try to make the world a better place through purposeful work when I was a young girl. At that time the desire to help others took the form of wanting to be a lawyer when I grew up. I was helpful to the world in many ways when I became an adult, especially in raising children, but not through career. The girlhood dream to become a lawyer did not materialize until I graduated from law school at 42.

My years as a lawyer were not as spiritually satisfying as I thought they would be. I enjoyed studying the law, but not the ego games of the legal system. I prayed for answers. I had a great spiritual awakening as I worked with the books of Joel Goldsmith. This experience led me out of the practice of law several years later.

In the years after leaving law, I had a period of introspection, prayer and physical healing. During this time I left my mind open to my next avenue of service. In early 2000 I heard about Pathways of Light and its work being inspired by ACIM from a fellow participant at a spiritual workshop. When I learned about the Pathways ministerial training program I heard a calling to take it up. There were many questions about this from those around me but I felt strongly that I had to honor may own call. At that time I became a serious ACIM student and recognized the principles had been at work in my life all along. I didn’t know what I would do as a minister, but I felt I would be guided.

The ministerial training itself opened me up to greater trust in inner Wisdom. I had many powerful insights and meditative experiences. After I was ordained in November 2000, I felt compelled to go home and make my house a more cheerful place rather than go right into ministerial work. I repainted and redecorated in light warm colors what had been mostly gray. It was only later that I realized I was getting my home ready for students to come.

It was one year later that I became active at Pathways of Light at the November, 2001, membership meeting when I joined the Advisory Council. I had given a Pathways bookmark to a fellow ACIM study group member while I was still in ministerial training. In January, 2002, she called me and asked if I would facilitate her ministerial training. After that, more ministerial students came along. I really trusted the concept of letting the light go forth to bring me all that I would need for my spiritual growth and opportunities to be of service.

On December 31, 2002, I set an intention for all of 2003 of being willing to let my mind be changed about what I think I am. Holy Spirit began to work with me in different ways. I began to facilitate the Pathways of Light 900 series courses on campus. Students from overseas came my way. I began to journal my experiences with the ACIM daily lessons. In my willingness, the Holy Spirit brought me more opportunities to be truly helpful. My intent for the year 2004 is to be willing to listen to Holy Spirit. Now I am writing an inner healing journal for the Pathways of Light web site and writing meditations, in addition to facilitation work.

In following the guidance of Holy Spirit, I am finding the greatest joy in my work. I had no idea at ordination what my ministry would look like; I gave it all to Holy Spirit. It is unfolding into something that makes me truly happy. In my continuing willingness to follow Holy Spirit, He gives me opportunities and activities step-by-step. I have no idea where I am going. My only desire is to be truly helpful. I have come to trust the process of letting the journey unfold as shown by Holy Spirit as being much better than anything my ego devises. It is a continuing process of willingness to follow the Inner Teacher, the Holy Spirit.

Today, I walk my path in joy. I feel that I have finally come at 57 to a state of fulfilling my girlhood dream of making the world a better place, only with a totally different understanding of what that means because I give the meaning to Holy Spirit. I don’t try to decide for myself what it means to make a difference any longer. I have come far on my life’s journey and now I know for certain that Holy Spirit has been there with me in every step. I am most grateful for knowing this. Today I am content to let Him lead the way. I am really learning that I can trust in the power of Love and goodness to have a powerful impact, and that I can let Holy Spirit direct this power in everything.

Rev. Barbara Kraetsch is a Pathways of Light minister living in Hartford, Wisconsin.

© 2004, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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