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January-March, 2022

Forgiveness *Does* Offer You Everything You Want

by Rev. Jennifer McSween, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

I’m writing this article at the end of November. Soon the Christmas season will be in full swing, and we’ll be hearing Christmas Carols and other seasonal songs repeatedly, on every radio station and television channel.

I already find myself humming what has become one of my favourite Christmas songs. It’s the “Xmas Song” — written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The opening lines are: “So, this is Christmas and what have you done — Another year over a new one just begun.”

I’m sure you’ve heard it yourself. Hearing these lines bring me a deep feeling of peace, joy, fulfillment, and happiness. But it wasn’t always this way. It only became this way from 2017 — the year I wrote and published my book — TRUE FORGIVENESS: The Proven Path From Pain to Power In Five Simple Steps.

It had taken me three years from the day I decided to write a book on Forgiveness, before I actually wrote the first line. But from the day I wrote the first line to the day I became a published author it took seven months — from March 10th, 2017, to October 10th, 2017.

I remember the goal I would set at the beginning of each of those three years would be: “Write my book this year.” But, come December I would not have even started… I would hear the opening lines of that song, and I would have this sad, sinking feeling deep inside me. I would think about how another year had come and gone in which I had yet not again kept my resolution, reached the goal, or met the intention I had set. And at times, that feeling was almost unbearable.

But in December of 2017, two months after I had become a published author, when I heard that song I was literally beside myself with joy! I remember responding to the line that asks: “And what have you done?” by shouting out loud like a Rapper: “I - wrote - and - published - my - book, - Bro!” (lol)

I also noticed that the feelings of peace, joy, fulfillment and happiness I was feeling were not only associated with the fact that I had become a published author. Those feelings seemed to have become the way I was feeling most of the time, regardless of what I was or wasn’t doing or what was or wasn’t taking place in my life.

As I thought about this change in my new way of feeling and being, I realized that writing the book about forgiveness, as taught in A Course in Miracles, led to a deeper level of learning and understanding of what it means to forgive. I had become more willing to forgive, seeing it for the simple and pain-free process that it really is. So I had begun to practice forgiveness more frequently.

The title of Workbook Lesson 122 is: “Forgiveness offers everything I want.” The first paragraph is a detailed list of the feelings we are always seeking, which include the feelings I mentioned experiencing above. The opening line of the second paragraph of Workbook Lesson 122 reads: “All this forgiveness offers you and more.”

Those feelings of peace, joy, fulfillment, and happiness that had become more present in my life were the result of my frequent practice of forgiveness. And these feelings are the end results that we are always seeking, regardless of the form of the goal or intention that we set, the resolution that we make or the thing we choose to do, have, or experience. It is never the “form of the thing” that we want, but the way we think it will make us “feel.”

However, we are often unaware that nothing (no thing) or no one can “make” us feel anything. And that what determines the way we feel in any moment or situation, is whether we are practicing forgiveness or engaging in judgment — which is the opposite of forgiveness.

So, as we come to the end of this year, and you reflect on what you have done and are thinking of the goal or intention you want to set or the resolution you want to make for the coming year, remember that what you are really seeking, regardless of the “desired form,” is a feeling. Make practicing forgiveness one of those goals, intentions, or resolutions for the New Year because forgiveness “does” offer you everything you want!

Rev. Jennifer McSween, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light Minister, #1 International Bestselling Author of the book, TRUE FORGIVENESS, and The True Forgiveness Coach. You can join her “TRUE FORGIVENESS FB Group” where you’ll get frequent posts and Weekly FB Lives on Forgiveness from the perspective of A Course in Miracles.

© 2021, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2022

Yielding to the Word of God

by Rev. Robert Thompson, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Once upon a time, an elderly man, (78 years old at the time, to be exact), met a living angel that was walking the face of this earth. Because he was continuously gifted with glimpses of Heaven, there was a tendency for this old guy to prolong that experience. Needless to say, when one’s soul is merged with Such A One, each word, each touch, is a serene embrace with Eternity.

Overwhelmed with awe and gratitude, the man offered to spend the rest of his life with the angel. The angel responded that she had already, for years, made  specific commitments to an organization, which she wished to continue. The man agreed that, when they were eventually together, the angel could continue her long term commitments.

But prior to her relocating and arriving permanently at the man’s home, he had what seemed to be a dream. In the dream he was guided to NOT DO what he had said to the angel that he WOULD DO!    WOW!! Specifically, that he was in no way to support her continued commitment to the organization!

The man woke up with the dream fresh in his mind and turned on the bedroom light. What a dilemma! To keep his word or obey a dream? To give up happiness because of a dream? The man found it difficult to make a choice and tried to make some sort of compromise. While he was trying to find a solution, a very loud voice said, “You have heard my words. Do what you will.”

The voice was so loud that the man looked around the bedroom to see who was speaking. He glanced at the clock. It was 1:30 a.m. in the morning.

Immediately while awake, he received “a vision” of Jesus and Pontius Pilate. Pilate was “washing his hands.” The “vision” seemed to suggest that, if he did not obey the dream, the “Loud Voice” was washing Its Hands of him.

The old man had heard about “the still small Voice.” But in his 25 years of dreamwork presentations and dream interpretations, he had never heard of “a very loud Voice”—to say nothing of Its supporting and emphasizing a dream!

“Do what you will.” The immediate feeling was that disobedience would be catastrophic! A dream?  A loud Voice, while awake? A “washing of hands?”

Then this question just “popped” into my mind. “What decision can I now make that I will be able to peacefully live with for the rest of my life?” Thus there was no choice, other than to obey. Immediately I was at peace.

There was, however, the need to share with my beloved that I would not be spending the rest of my life with her. So I traveled that short distance of acceptance to make a long distance call. Surprisingly, when she answered the phone I violated my own rule, which is, “Never tell people what to do.”

I told her that I had been guided to not support her in continuing her years of commitment and told her not to come and be with me but to stay and continue her dedicated work. I actually said, “Stay where you are and honor your commitment.”

Those were my words to my surprised and somewhat startled angel. She made little response and the call ended.

I lay back in bed peacefully aware that I had given up something that was most important, the love of my life, for something that was even more important — the Peace of God.     

Perhaps an hour or so later, the phone rang and my angel said, “I have gone to the Holy Spirit and asked for guidance. Following my guidance I am transferring all of my previous responsibilities at the non-profit to others and will then pack my car and come to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I said, “Okay.” And with that brief utterance, I committed myself to being her advocate and supporter 1,000% for the rest of our lives.

This included a legal marriage at Pathways of Light, my steadfast role as her confidant and major assistant in her studies for ordination as a minister and acting as her co-author and assistant when she officiated at baptisms, funerals, and marriages.

P.S. And now, so many years later, she is the angel watching over me.

Rev. Robert Thompson is a Pathways of Light minister living in Portage, Wisconsin. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Website: wwwbumpityroad.or

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

Miracles News, Oct.-Dec. 2021

 

 

Light dawns
as we release
what does
not serve. 

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

Mary Lenihan, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in St. Louis, MO.
She is Co-founder and Co-creator of http://www.pauseforinspiration.org Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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