Miracles News

Tweet

April-June, 2011

My Grievances Hide the Light of the World In Me

by Rev. Barbara Siegel

The light of the world is in me. I can light the world with love and with salvation, but I allow my grievances to take priority over this awesome ability. Why?! Fear, of course! I fear letting go of my grievances. Who would I be without my grievances? Would I still be Barbara? Who is Barbara anyway? Do I want to be her? Maybe I would do well to finally put her aside.

I guess the personality known as Barbara is all right — she tries, but she is so entrenched in her grievances, grievances from over 60 years ago to grievances from this morning. It is as though what I and the world have come to know and call Barbara is a woman who formed most her identity on being a victim. I don’t think I meant her to become identified this way, but that was the model I followed when forming her identity and writing her script. A model based on her mother, aunts, and other women of her era. Mostly, it was an identity that (I thought) would get her attention.

When looking at Barbara’s life, many in this world would say: “Yes, she did have some very real tragedies, some huge grievances with others and, perhaps, even with God.” But those who are looking from a higher source would just smile on Barbara, love her, and wait for the time she puts down the blanket of grievances she wraps herself in daily. The blanket is old, it is worn, and it is useless.

I invented the world I see. I wrote the script. I call it “Barbara’s World.” It is a soap opera filled with birth, death, marriage, divorce, times of plenty, and times of scarcity. I have a new episode everyday and I watch rerun after rerun of my favorite episodes. I have been obsessed with this program, but it is over. The program and all re-runs have been cancelled. The sponsors have lost interest as it no longer pays off.  A new show is being put in “Barbara’s World” time slot. It is a reality show called “The One Self.”

Let me not judge Barbara’s drama or be sad to see it end. Let me just appreciate it for what it was and go Home.

Rev. Barbara Siegel is a Pathways of Light minister living in St. Louis, Missouri.
Web site:Btheblessing.com

© 2011, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Tweet

April-June, 2011

A New Beginning

by Gail Boydstun

I need to face the mountain,
so that I can see.
When the mountain is out of my way,
all there is left is “He.”
Only “He” can move the mountain,
Only “He” can push it away,
Only “He” can conquer the problems
that I face today.

My job is only to believe —
to listen to His Voice…
And when I hear what “He”
commands, obedience is my choice.

But “He” will not make it too difficult
for the victory is already “His,”
and “He” will fill me with
“His” Spirit
and through “Him”
my grace will shine.

Not when I am perfect,
like I think I need to be,
but when my heart is willing
to become more and more like “He.”

By doing what needs to be done
right now, we make the most of
each present moment.

As long as we are alive,
we are always free to begin again.

Instead of following an old,
worn-out habit, make a fresh start
— this moment on —
for the rest of your life.

Each day is a new start!
Each moment is “A new beginning!”

Gail Boydstun is a Pathways of Light student who lives in Racine, Wisconsin.

© 2011, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Tweet

April-June, 2011

The One About Communication

by Rev. Stephan Mead

During a conversation with a dear friend of mine, the word “communication” came up. Communication is mentioned 130 times in A Course In Miracles, and perhaps a quote from Chapter 15 emphasizes the importance the Course places on this word. For communication embraces everything, and in the peace it re-establishes, love comes of itself.  T-15.XI.7.6

“Do we really communicate with each other? Do we really communicate with anyone?” Those were the questions we asked each other. Quite easily, we saw that depending on how we judged a relationship, determined the depth and level we were willing to communicate. The seeming defense we used to somehow keep us protected by communicating differently to different people was a revelation to each of us.

“What were we trying to keep us protected from? Why wouldn’t we naturally want to communicate fully, honestly and joyfully with everyone?” Then, as our conversation got a little more serious, we wondered if we even possessed the capacity to truly communicate with others and each other. This was a very sobering thought. “Is our ego-made defense system so entrenched in us, that we think there is benefit in selective communication?”

My friend quickly mentioned that at least between us, we had a history of full communication and that fullness was the foundation of our relationship. I wondered about that. It sounded good, but did we really have the trust in each other we claimed we did? Continuing our conversation, I said, “There probably would be consequences, both anticipated and unanticipated if two people committed to full communication with each other.”

As an example, I used the humorous communication line between a husband and wife, “Honey, do these jeans make my butt look big?” In that question, so many fears, defenses, judgments and opportunities to lie were exposed in an instant; yet it was such a simple question. Any guy who has been in that unfortunate position should know exactly what I’m talking about!

Humor aside, how would a person answer if his motivation were to communicate in the fullest and most honest way possible-always? Trust! The guidance I felt, said, “Trust your friend would know you are sharing an opinion, that is all. Trust your friend would not take any opinion of yours personally. Trust your friend would call upon the love in your relationship to know you would never mean to give offense. Trust your friend would appreciate your willingness to share your inner most thoughts.”

Within a day or so, I had an opportunity to express an opinion of mine regarding an aspect of my friend’s life. I admit my timing to reveal this great insight of mine was poorly chosen, but share my insight I did! Forget about trust, all hell broke loose! My friend reacted as if punched in the stomach. Never has a phone call been terminated more quickly!

My reactions were interesting even to me. I was indignant, angry and hurt that because I shared an opinion of mine, I felt my friend abandoned me. The immaturity I judged in my friends’ reaction to me supported the old idea that one should never really be honest in every situation. To demonstrate my superior spirituality, I decided our relationship was severely damaged. I was willing to never initiate contact again to prove how right I had been when I had said, “Maybe people, even those in very close relationships do not really want to hear the truth because they cannot not take things personally.”

Removing any doubt about who was the more mature person, my friend called me the next day and suggested we get together soon to discuss what we could learn from our reactions of the day before. (Why can’t it ever be me that goes to forgiveness first?)

Everything the ego perceives is a separate whole, without the relationships that imply being. The ego is thus against communication, except insofar as it is utilized to establish separateness rather than to abolish it. The communication system of the ego is based on its own thought system, as is everything else it dictates. Its communication is controlled by its need to protect itself, and it will disrupt communication when it experiences threat. T-4.VII.2-4 I think I also have a topic for our next Course meeting!

Rev. Stephan Mead is a Pathways of Light minister living in Seattle, Washington.

© 2011, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Tweet

April-June, 2011

Practicing Forgiveness

by Rev. Joanne Schneider, PhD

UGH, the dreaded!! Faulty purchases!

So I bought a blow-up piece of exercise equipment online and after I got it out of the box and tried for some time to blow it up, I noticed that it was missing one rubber foot, which allowed air to escape. I looked through the box it came in and it was empty. I looked through the plastic that wrapped it; it was not there. Okay, no problem. I will simply call the phone number on the instruction booklet and the parts representative will send me one with no problems, after all, it is just a little rubber foot, one of six on the bottom of this piece of equipment.

So I called. The woman said I had to have the receipt. Searching my mind I do not remember seeing it anywhere so I said I do not have the receipt. She could not send me the foot if I did not have the receipt. But what if it had been a gift, I proclaimed. Well, most people include gift receipts, she retorted. Well, after some back and forth and some discomfort, she agreed to send me the foot “this time,” but I would receive no other support in the future without a receipt.

Ugh! After hanging up, I was certainly not at peace. I had let this illusionary situation disturb my peace. And, as I usually do, I went about my business without checking in with Spirit, but in the back of my mind I was aware of the discomfort within. Finally I stopped “my business” and went to Spirit.

Yes, I was angry with her; I recognized that. My mind told me I was in a world of illusions, but I was still angry. And forgiveness is “the means by which illusions disappear.” (W-pt I.46.2:5) But when I sat for a minute and searched my mind, I was even angrier with myself. I did not remember the Spirit at all during my conversation with the representative! I failed again! Deep down I could see that I thought this meant I was not worthy of God. That whole idea of not being saved even popped into my mind. At the same time I also knew that this was my strong ego speaking. Nonetheless, the thoughts were disturbing my peace.

Interestingly, or maybe I should say, fortunately, the lesson I was practicing that day was Lesson 46, “God is the Love in which I forgive.” So as the Course instructs, I closed my eyes and searched my mind for those whom I had not forgiven. (W-pt I.46.3:3)

Ah, no problem there. Instantly the parts representative came to mind. “God is the Love in which I forgive you,” (W-pI.46.4:4) I repeated. And the next sentence of Lesson 46 drove the point home. “The purpose of the first phase of today’s practice periods is to put you in a position to forgive yourself.” (W-pI.46.5:1) “God is the Love in which I forgive myself.” (W-pI.46.5:3) “God is the Love in which I am blessed.” (W-pI.46.5:6) I felt resistance when I repeated these words, but I continued. And, because I must forgive entirely or not at all, (W-pI.46.3:5) I practiced several times that day and the next.

Clearly I have more work to do with forgiveness. Undoubtedly I will have more chances. In fact, before the day was done, I got a cable bill that was $30 higher than expected. Thankfully, I have to call the cable representative giving me another opportunity to practice forgiveness.

Rev. Joanne Kraenzle Schneider is a Pathways of Light minister living in Festus, Missouri.

© 2011, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

---

Back to main page of Miracles News.

Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution to support this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution with a credit/debit card, click here.
Click here to donate from your PayPal account.
Or send a check to Pathways of Light, 12530 Lions Chase Court, Huntley, IL 60142.