Miracles News

July-September, 2022

Entertaining a Miracles Mindset

by Rev. Jennifer McSween, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Around 6:30 p.m. on the evening of April 13th as I was in the kitchen preparing dinner I began having some very intense pains in the middle of my chest. It was a tightening sensation in the middle section of my chest radiating towards the right side and under my right breast. The pain then traveled upwards along my right clavicle, then up into my neck.

The intense pain lasted for no more than 10 minutes, however it felt like it was there for much longer. I remember walking slowly into the living room where my husband was sitting… sat on the sofa across from him and said:

“I’m having some very intense pains in my chest… It may be nothing but I feel I should go have it checked out.”

Because heart disease runs in my family, this felt like the natural thing to do. My husband had me chew two low-dose aspirins and asked if he should call 911. The pain had subsided at that point and I was now feeling only a slight pressure and a barely perceptible shortness of breath. So I declined his offer to call 911 and had him drive me to the emergency room of the nearby hospital, that was 10 minutes away. About an hour later I had an EKG, an intravenous in my arm and some blood and my blood pressure was taken.

Neither the EKG nor my blood tests showed any signs of a heart attack, however my blood pressure was extremely high. I was kept overnight to reduce my blood pressure and for further testing to determine the cause of the pains in my chest.

A chest x-ray and CT scan confirmed the presence of a 1.6cm spot/lesion on my lower left lung. The Pulmonary Specialists calmly explained to my husband and I that the best approach would be to take immediate action to find out what we were looking at. They suggested that during the following four to six weeks further testing, scans, and consultations should be done in case the ‘spot’ was something cancerous. Surgery, to remove that part of my lung as a curative measure was also suggested if it was cancerous but localized.

I remember feeling extremely calm as the two pulmonary specialists shared this information with my husband and me.

After they left the room I turned to my husband and asked: “So how do you feel about all this?” He responded by saying: “Never mind me… how do ‘you’ feel?” I shared that I was feeling quite calm and at peace despite the possible diagnoses.

I imagined he thought that I might be in shock… or that the news had not quite settled in yet. For a brief moment I wondered the same thing myself.

There was one thing however that concerned me in that moment. As I previously shared, I had held the first of the “7-Week Formula For True Forgiveness” classes the day before. We were scheduled to meet twice a week for the next six weeks. On Tuesdays for our regular class and Friday’s for Q&A.

I had no idea when the tests, scans, consultations, and possible surgery requisitioned and suggested by the Doctors during this four to six week period were going to be taking place. I did not want to have to be canceling classes to attend those appointments. I also did not want to have to stop at class four or five and have students wait a couple of months before finishing if I needed time for surgery and recovery. I wondered what to do about that… asked for guidance and felt led to put the rest of the classes on hold until we got a definite diagnosis, prognosis, and decision.

I decided I would even re-teach the first class so the students will have the uninterrupted 7-week course I promised. The following day was Friday. It was to be our first Q&A Session. I shared the news about my condition and the decision to postpone the 7-Week Course wondering how it would be received. Everyone was on board. I received unanimous support for my decision and an equal amount of support along my medical journey. I was deeply moved and very grateful.

At the time of this writing it’s been almost five weeks since I heard the news. I’ve had a lung capacity test, two CT scans, 1 PET scan and a consultation. I’ll be having a biopsy on Friday (in three days) and meeting with the thoracic surgeon next week for the results and next step. I’m still at peace and not once have I felt worried, victimized, or fearful of the outcome.

The way I’m looking at and feeling about this situation is the exact opposite of the way I did about a similar situation two years ago. I had been having some questionable symptoms and was very worried thinking about the possible causes. I was so afraid of the possible outcome I seriously considered ‘putting my papers in order’ on more than one occasion.

Shortly before I got the diagnosis back when my fear and level of stress surrounding the situation was at its peak, I remembered thinking, literally out loud to myself: “I could seriously use a miracle here.” Almost immediately this most central thought of A Course in Miracles came into my mind:

“There’s another way of looking at this that will allow you to feel safe, healed, empowered, and at peace regardless of the situation, circumstance, or condition in which you find yourself.”

As I became willing and open to that ‘other way,’ it felt like I was being ‘led’ to look at the situation from a perspective of Love instead of fear.

I was reminded to identify with my True Self and not my body. To accept the situation without judgment. Trust that all is well regardless of my symptoms, possible diagnosis, and/or prognosis. And have the understanding and awareness that all that is ever taking place in any moment or situation is that you’re experiencing the thoughts and ideas in the mind, in some form.

And… the truth is that you… the Real You … are never affected by anything you see, encounter, or experience in any form.

Looking at my situation in this other way, my fear, worry, and stress became less and less; eventually there was no emotional charge when I thought about the symptoms I’d been having or the upcoming diagnosis I could possibly receive.

It is that same ‘other way’ through which I’m looking at my current situation that is allowing me to remain calm and peaceful as I move through the experience. And without having a need or attachment to any specific outcome.

A Course in Miracles teaches that a miracle is not a change in conditions but a change in your perception of conditions. When you engage in this “other way of looking” at anything or anyone you’re entertaining the “Mindset for Miracles.” As a result, what you’ll experience is a feeling of peace, safety, and healing, regardless of the circumstances or conditions you are facing.

If you want to experience peace… healing… a miracle in some area of your life you need to entertain the “Mindset for Miracles.” This begins with having the willingness to consider another way… a more peaceful way… of looking at yourself, your life, the world and whatever it is that’s taking place whether it’s in your body, your life, or in your world.

Rev. Jennifer McSween, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light Minister, The Miracles Mindset Strategist, True Forgiveness Coach and International Bestselling Author of the book “TRUE FORGIVENESS: The Proven Path From Pain To power In 5 Simple Steps.”
Website: http://www.revjennifermcsween.com

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