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Pathways of Light Changed My Life

by Rev. Evelyn Lockett Woods, O.M.C.

There was nothing to eat in the fridge. I decided to stop at my local grocer on the way home. I drove to the store, selected a shopping cart, walked through the sliding door, dug through my bag for my shopping lists on my phone and suddenly just froze in my tracks. I realized that I had no special lists for nutritious foods or drinks. In fact, I had no grocery list at all. Richard, my husband of 30 years, had passed a week before. As a full time caregiver, I had not considered what I wanted to eat in months. I had no idea. This was the first of many poignant moments to come after my husband’s transition in 2015.

I decided to stop for pizza instead of grocery shopping that day. So I walked into the back foyer and into the kitchen with my pizza. Suddenly, I had the realization that Richard would never walk through those doors again. My emotions spiraled down from there.

I started praying for purpose and meaning in my life. What would I do with my time now? Who am I? Who could I study A Course in Miracles with?

I started reading A Course in Miracles in 2007. I went into a Borders bookstore in my Chicago neighborhood looking for a book of poems by Rumi. And I saw a copy of the Course on the shelf right next to the book I was looking for. I had read a number of books lately that referenced the Course. So even though I thought it was pricey, I decided to buy it as well.

Richard and I started reading A Course in Miracles together nearly every day. We would question each other’s interpretations and had a lot of fun with it. Those were very special bonding times for us even as he lay bedridden. In fact, in his last hour, I read one of our favorite passages from A Course in Miracles, Lesson 109: I rest in God. In my efforts to find study companions, I researched the few groups that study A Course in Miracles in Chicago. Distance from me and timing of their meetings appeared as obstacles to me at the time. But then I discovered Pathways of Light on the Internet and decided right away that it was perfect for me.

As I began the Pathways of Light studies I realized that completion of the curriculum could result in ordination. Ordination? I never really considered the ministry. But then I thought about little else for weeks. And then I said, “Why not me?” I had been praying for something to look forward to and for a reason to live. Is becoming a minister God’s response to my prayer for a reason to live? Is this why I am still here?

It was interesting how each Pathways of Light course helped me in a circumstance that I was experiencing in the present moment. In fact, half way through the ministry curriculum I was diagnosed with cancer. I began to see that my life challenges serve as opportunities to grow my faith. Sometimes God removes the things we depend on most (for me, my husband and my health) to teach us to “trust in Him.”

I found studying the Course with the Pathways ministers who had been studying many more years than I had fascinating. It occupied my time. It occupied my mind. It provided me comfort. I learned so much about God, about life, about relationships, about meditation and about myself from my homework and my weekly conference calls with the ministers of Pathways of Light. Even when there were only two of us on the phone, I felt that the Holy Spirit, my Inner Guide, was present.

The facilitators shared personal stories of healing and were gentle and nonjudgmental with their input. I have listed below three of the many life changing concepts that I studied with Pathways of Light. Although I had heard all of this before, the classes, the homework, the meditations and the facilitators made it real for me. They taught me to go to my Inner Guide for help in living these ideas. Once I understood the ideas and God’s Love for me, I was able to rediscover myself and to surrender my challenges to the Holy Spirit.

Seek peace first: Peace is a necessary condition for Inner Guidance; It is impossible to be peaceful and to be sad at the same time.

Be self aware: Recognize tension in my body as signs of lack of peace; monitor my thoughts and feelings with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Close the history book: Stay focused on the present moment.

I am thankful to be a cancer survivor and to have recovered a great deal from debilitating grief. Through my daily practice I have received very clear direction from the Holy Spirit on becoming a minister. I envision myself as a facilitator and a writer. But I am open to direction from the Spirit on this point as well.

I am joyfully committed to spending the rest of my life following the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Still Small Voice of the Holy Spirit within me is my login to the database of Divine ideas. May I serve as a vessel for Spirit to use to help others hear the God in themselves.

Yet, I am humbled by this experience of ministry. My confidence is not in myself but in the Holy Spirit that dwells within me and within us all.

Pathways of Light has been an awesome experience! I pray that Spirit will use me in the lives of others in the way my Pathways of Light facilitators have been used to help me.

Marianne Williamson summed up my answer to why I am becoming a minister in this quote, “You’ll ask that God make of you a shining star in the darkened skies of the world, that you might represent His love and reflect His goodness for those who cry as you have cried.”

Rev. Evelyn Lockett Woods is a Pathways of Light minister living in Houston, Texas.
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Step Back and Relax

by Rev. Mary Gerard Lenihan, O.M.C.

THE PAUSE is a relaxation practice — real relaxation. When we relax — which is different from being a couch potato — we are much more able to let go of thoughts, feelings and judgments of our self, others and situations that are weighing us down. Step back is “The decision to get out of my own way.” I notice that when I am willing to Step Back, to get out of my own way and I am willing to allow room for another way, mental strain loosens its grip on my mind, feelings overtaking my heart lighten up and the muscle tension in my body begins to soften.

Tension, stress and strain are common ailments in our daily lives in this world. Practice the pause to relax. Pause and choose to stop a moment. Step Back and choose to let yourself relax. Most communication errors and relationship misunderstandings are due to the fact that we simply need to relax! When our mind is uneasy, what is the likelihood that our day is going to go smoothly? Perhaps you have a co-worker or family member who really gets on your nerves — RELAX. You will be amazed at how the things this person says and does simply will not take on such importance. When we are relaxed, we are less likely to blow things people say and do out of proportion. The 24-hour day is going to be 24 hours; we have no control over the clock. Yet, we do have control over our state of mind.

You hold the power within yourself to choose to relax. PAUSE is a tool in teaching yourself to relax. I find that when I practice STEP BACK, I am no longer the center of the universe and I become more patient. If I can be more patient with myself, I am more likely to be patient with others.

So, here is The 2nd Decision. Enjoy your practice.

STEP BACK: The decision to get out of my own way.

I Am Willing: To allow room for Another Way.

Action: Step back from feelings, thinking, planning, figuring, judging, saying and doing. No need to push them away. Allow room for another way. Breathe. Give some space. Let your mind be a clean slate.

Apply in any relationship, communication, activity, situation, and circumstance. Pause your mind, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, and whomever you are with.

Rev. Mary Gerard Lenihan is a Pathways of Light minister living in St. Louis, Missouri. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: http://www.pauseforinspiration.org

© 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Miracles News, January-March 2018

 

As our inner Light
shines through, we
we extend safety
joy and peace.

Pathways of Light Miracles News is published quarterly in print and online to provide a forum for Pathways of Light ministers to share their process of allowing the Holy Spirit to heal their minds. As we read and share these miracle stories with each other, we are inspired and we inspire each other to accelerate our return Home to Love, peace and happiness.

Subscriptions to the printed version are available without charge, but tax-deductible donations are gratefully received to support the printing and mailing expenses of this magazine. A suggested donation of $20.00 a year is invited.

Pathways of Light is nonprofit, providing spiritually focused courses with A Course in Miracles orientation, and has served spiritual awakening for over 27 years. Pathways of Light is dedicated to joining with people around the world in awakening to the Love and peace of God. As part of this joining, Pathways of Light offers training in a new kind of spiritual ministry.

© 2017, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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There Is a Thing Called Happiness

by Rev. Susan Comello, O.M.C.

There is a thing called happiness. What is it? How do I get it? How do I keep it? Where does it go?

I spent much of my life here looking for happiness — looking, searching, waiting, hoping. When I was a little girl, happiness seemed like something other people had. Other people knew how to do it right, to be happy. I saw Prince Charming rescue the princess and surely that had to be happiness. They even said they lived happily ever after. “Some day my prince will come. Some day, I will be happy.” That’s what kept me going in the seeming endless muck of life which mostly was the opposite of happy. I was sad, confused, disillusioned and lonely.  

I was thinking about the path I’ve been on for over 25 years since finding A Course in Miracles. The ego finds so many ways to question the Truth.

Recently, I was lying in bed. I was fine. I lay there and suddenly a fear thought of scarcity and lack welled up, seemingly out of nowhere. OOOooo, it gained momentum quickly. Like a hungry blood sucker, it swelled up in my mind very fast. I felt my body react — heart racing, head hurt, sick stomach. It was almost shocking how quickly I went from feeling okay to awful.

Thank you God that I have practiced with ACIM for all these years. I became aware of how the fear thought created the suffering I was experiencing. I prayed, “Holy Spirit, I have some fear thoughts. I give all fear thoughts to You. I ask peace to replace this mistaken thinking. I am willing to be happy.” It took a few repetitions of prayer to Holy Spirit. Apparently, I am still learning to let go of fear. Holy Spirit answered my prayer, as always, with peace returning. I have faith in Love.

Another aspect of this happiness path really became apparent recently as well. It’s kind of the opposite end of the drama spectrum. I was just kind of “blah” one day. “Oh, nothing is happening,” the ego said. “It’s too quiet, it’s boring. My life is so not exciting.” Translated as: I am not happy.

Well, Thank you God, again! I caught the thought. I realized my energy and thoughts were spiraling down, just because I was having some quiet, peaceful time! I was so very grateful to Holy Spirit for coming to me, reminding me that the need for DODODOING is a way for busyness to distract from being in the Truth… that Peace is my goal. I remembered to open to peace, open to being satisfied with what is, to know and accept that I need do nothing except accept the Peace of God. Joy returned once again. So simple, yet it’s everything I needed to “find” my happiness.  

I have come such a long way on the path of Love, the same Path we all are on. Often, I am happy. Simply happy. I know my little girl self would be joyous to know that I have found a way to be happy in this insane world. It is NOT about the Prince coming to save me and make my life worth living. It’s about letting go of believing that the world can make me happy. The world includes relationships, friends, the body, even my cherished family. Only the choice to be Love in every moment “works.”

I don’t know if I’ve ever admitted this “publicly,” but I am a pragmatist at heart. Sometimes the Course get so “wordy” and “lofty” and even expects me to give up the belief that this body is real! For God’s Sake!

But what I have found countless times, and ACIM has proven to me, is that the only way to be happy in this world is to forgive everything, including the body, and choose Love as the Truth.

Love is the Way. It is not politics or money or bodies. So much of human life is measured by these things. But I have heard Holy Spirit tell us that the only thing that matters is Love. Love is the medium through which we are either happy or miserable.

Pragmatist satisfied: Choosing Love and forgiving everything else brings happiness. The joyful Child of God within rejoices. The grateful human form living the happy dream relaxes and trusts God’s plan.

Happiness was and always is an inside job. I open to the Love within me and I remember Who I am.

I am peace. I am joy. I am Love.

Rev. Susan Comello is a Pathways of Light minister living in Madison, Wisconsin. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2017, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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