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October-December, 2021

A Practical Practice That Is Practical

by Rev. Mary Lenihan, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

The more I Pause for Inspiration — that quiet, truly inspired Voice — the more I realize that this Wisdom cares about everything, not distinguishing between “spiritual” and “practical.” Everything is spiritual, everything is practical. Universal Inspiration cares about it all and guides us through the Mind with the Light ON, one’s True Self.

How to spend my time, how to respond in a situation, is as much concern to my True Self as is who to console, what work tasks to do in what order, how to go about an email, text, or in person communication, being with uncomfortable feelings in the midst of an unexpected conversation, and what is my part to play in the current challenges the world is facing. My True Self excludes nothing or no one from reaping blessings from the truly helpful Wisdom being poured forth.

Resistance can come however at the point of practice. It’s the night before a doctor’s appointment and I receive a voice mail that they don’t have the imaging they need for my appointment. My immediate reaction is not to pause! Their office had called me a week ago to confirm the appointment. I offered to bring the imaging, but the woman said, “Oh no, we’ll take care of it.” It took three weeks to get this appointment and now they’re saying don’t bother coming unless I have the imaging! What? It’s almost 4 p.m. and I figure it’s getting too late for me to pick up the imaging in time for the appointment.

The message said to call them, but they didn’t leave a number. I try returning the call on the number on my cell phone which goes to a different location. They give me another number and a robot answers, “This is no longer a working number.” My homemade chicken soup on the stove is boiling away and so is my cubicle mind.

I notice my being perturbed is not the solution. I pause, get out of my own way, open to receive Inspiration, and am moved to call the imaging center. The woman who answers the phone responds to my inquiry with, “I can help you!” Wow, how cool is that? We pause and all begins flowing smoothly from this point on. John walks into the kitchen and says, “I can go pick those up for you if that would help.” Wow again. Help is on the way!

FYI. I say a “true pause” as a way of distinguishing practicing Pause from a timeout in which I may be hanging onto emotions and thoughts until five minutes is over only to quickly return to wrath! Within a Pause is also a getting out of my own way, a welcoming of Wisdom, and a willingness to follow.

This morning when I got to my appointment I encountered Samantha, the young woman who had both initially told me not to bring my imaging and left the voice mail not to show up if I didn’t have the imaging! I shared my experience with her to be helpful as a customer/patient.

Her facial expression revealed she had become aware of her error. “However,” I said, “It led me to practice what I teach, Pause For Inspiration.”

“Oh, what’s Pause For Inspiration?” she asked. I pulled out the original Pause and LOVE cards and handed them to her across the counter. She immediately began looking them over and shared, “Oh, I could really use this.” “Me too,” I responded. I am teaching what I need to learn.”

“Teach only love for that is what you are.” (ACIM, T-6.III.2:4)

In her keen awareness she said, “This takes practice!” “You’re right on,” I leaped with joy. “That is the number one thing I share with people when I teach Pause. Pause is not a theory; Pause is a practice.”

So, my relationship with Samantha, and it is a relationship no matter how brief our encounter, was an uplifting opportunity to practice being truly helpful. We nurtured and nourished one another.

I walked into my appointment practicing Pause to remain in my True Self; I went through my appointment practicing Pause to help me listen to the nurse, know what questions to ask and how to proceed, and I left the appointment in peace and an overall sense that who I am is not a body! That was totally unexpected.

“Inspiration truly desires to teach us all of its ways of wisdom and loving; for to be wise is to love, and to love is to be wise. Peace, love, joy is all this Teacher has to teach, for this is all it knows. Be willing to be taught by this Teacher of teachers. To be a student of such is to be a student with great willingness, true desire, vigilance and strong determination to experience Inspiration. Let this Teacher teach you how to live wisely in teaching you love.” (Pause For Inspiration, p. 174)

For instance, after my appointment while sitting in my car returning business emails, I felt the embrace of my true identity in Christ. Suddenly the thought to visit a nearby church, Mary Magdalene, entered my mind. My cubicle self-tried to convince me that this was unnecessary.

“It is best not to ignore this cubicle wisecracker, rather, look upon it with Inspiration who will shed light upon its shadows. What are the cubicle self’s motives, desires, intentions, ways of relating and communicating, values, judgments, and past experiences shading your life now? What is the cubicle self-keeping you from?” (Pause For Inspiration, p. 175)

Following Wisdom’s calling, I started my car and drove to Mary Magdalen to pause and receive Love. I sat in the pew inhaling peace, exhaling peace. A gift given and a gift received.

Having received the gift of peace, I am fortified for the day! I head off for my eye exam during which I am once again very aware of Love’s embrace. While waiting for a thunderstorm and lightning show to pass before I can drive home, I pause for how to spend the time. Before I can think and plan I open my laptop which I heard that morning to bring with me, and I began writing this article.

The customers and store/office staff are doing their thing and I am content as these words flow without effort. The storm passes and the staff wish me well as I walk out the door and I laugh sharing, “This was great. I wrote an article. Thanks for being a part of the Inspiration!” They all laughed and said, “You’re welcome.” They were a part of the Inspiration — funny how we all are and don’t need to “know” it or take credit for it or “understand” it.

Now home looking out my window, the storm has passed. The wind still blows in the trees and its’ sound imparts a serene Presence beckoning a restful pause. In this rest I head downstairs to the kitchen, aware I am being accompanied by Holy Spirit who will help with the evening tasks at hand.

“Have faith in him who walks with you, so that your fearful concept of yourself may change. And look upon the good in him, that you may not be frightened by your “evil” thoughts because they do not cloud your view of him. And all this shift requires is that you be willing that this happy change occur. No more than this is asked.” (ACIM.T-31.VII.5:1-4).

© 2021, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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