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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
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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
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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
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Japan — Cause and Effect

by Rev. Lee Catalano

Images and thoughts of Japan are in my family’s mind. We love a lot of Japanese people, but it is not just that, we are a brotherhood of every nation. All Souls joined in the great Fatherhood of God.

Over and over Jesus asks us in ACIM to look to the cause of everything. He says that if we choose to listen to the wrong voice (cause) we will suffer. Not because we are being punished, but because we have chosen to listen to the voice of punishment.

Why do I do everything that I do? Each and every thing needs to be looked at. Anything that is of selfish interest will surely come back to bite me in the ass. Why? Because we were created to love, not to pursue self-interest. It’s that simple. I can rail against this simple truth until I have been brought to my bloodied knees again and finally surrender my way.

So that said, how do I look upon Japan? The cause of all the Japanese tragedies is false. God would not have us suffer. All of the pain and punishment is a reflection of the mind of pain and suffering in all of us. On a small scale it’s gambling away the rent money, on a large scale it’s a tsunami.

Is this some kind of reflection of guilt? Not having the money for the rent? Having an earthquake bare down on us? Certainly not.

We are taught to deny the denial of truth. The Son of God is forever innocent. We deny the denial of truth and reach out our hand to our brother. We look at earth quakes with horror, but in the mean time we are still listening to the cause of earth quakes in our own minds. Talking bad about the neighbors or excluding anyone from anything is to keep the earth quake quaking in our own minds and keeping the false cause alive and well.

It brings us back full circle to accepting the atonement (worthiness and equality in God) for oneself. From this view we automatically reach out to our brother, ALL brothers. Time collapses and tragedies literally disappear, says Jesus.

Praise be to God and may I quiet the temptation to quakes in my own mind today. Amen.

Rev. Lee Catalano is a Pathways of Light minister living in Belmont, Massachusetts
Web site: heavensongministrypages.com

© 2011, 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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