In A Course in Miracles, we’re taught to look at whether it’s even possible to get what we’d like using the means we’ve chosen.
For instance, So often in my past, I’d feel hurt in a relationship because of my interpretation of what occurred. Then, in order to try to manipulate and punish people to treat me “better” I’d shut them out, I’d shut them down, and I’d blame them for how I felt. I’d try to make them feel guilty.
How crazy was I that I ever thought that withholding Love could bring me the Peace and Love I wanted from my relationships?
The answer is: completely crazy.
I was out of my right mind and operating from the WRONG mind.
I’ve realized that I’m always either constructive or destructive in my contribution to life. It can be subtle and challenging to discern, but since I desire to make a positive contribution wherever possible, since I intend to be the bringer of Love and Light, I’m committed to paying attention to even the most subtle waves of energy I’m sending.
In Trumpet of Conscience, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. says, “Means and ends must cohere because the end is preexistent in the means, and ultimately destructive means cannot bring about constructive ends.”
How frequently do I think about whether or not my actions are constructive?
I used to think about it all day long, and now I’m clear when I’m not constructive and I can make a higher choice.
I can feel the shift immediately when I change my mind. I instantly feel more peaceful, more loving and relieved.
For my success as a spiritual student, all that’s required is for me to be awake in the moment. To be awake in the moment requires my willingness. I’m willing to be awake. I desire to be awake.
How many times have I failed because I tried to solve a problem without considering whether or not my solution was actually constructive or merely a band-aid? Millions.
Sometimes what I’ve done to make things better has been reactionary, borne of a fear of what might happen. Sometimes I’ve known that what I was doing was actually destructive and I’ve gone ahead and done it anyway in order to get a temporary feeling of resolution. This is what I see others doing all the time. We especially see it in politics. People use violence as a quick way to attempt to end violence. It never brings Peace, but they try it again anyway.
ACIM teaches us that the ends is in the means.
Does your desire match your means to get there or is it merely a wish?
A Course in Miracles tells us: “How can one be sincere and say, ‘I want this above all else, and yet I do not want to learn the means to get it?’ To obtain the goal the Holy Spirit indeed asks little. He asks no more to give the means as well. The means are second to the goal. And when you hesitate, it is because the purpose frightens you, and not the means.”
The bottom line is: If I have a problem and I try to solve it with anything other than Love, I will still have a problem.
In other words, “what goes around, comes around.”
I used to resist the truth that every thought is my choice. I used to prefer to step back from taking responsibility for every thought I had. And yet, in taking that responsibility is the very power to change my life.
I used to feel powerless yet resist the one thing that would empower me: Responsibility. That’s where having a strong aspiration serves me.
I desire to serve the Light with every choice I make. I am willing to take responsibility for every choice I make.
Can you be fearless and look over your choices and see if they can actually bring you the outcome you most desire?
Are you at all like I was, choosing to punish with guilt, anger, resentment and withdrawal instead of extending Love, compassion and kindness? Can you see where your methods will never bring you your hearts desire?
Awareness is healing. Being aware that the methods we’re choosing aren’t bring the results we’d like and the willingness to do something different, to regroup and open to new inspiration is a sign of emotional maturity and intelligence.
We can make higher choices. We can truly be ALL IN for our awakening.
TODAY – Sundays with Spirit – a spiritual celebration with music and inspiration. I’m speaking today and I’d love to have you join me. It’s free of course, but you do have to register. Click here now to register for FREE!
RETREAT! Let’s get away together and have some fun while we’re having a lift-off! Early-bird on now! Power of Love In-Person Retreat Memorial Day Weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina! May 23 to May 26 – Come away with us! From the very first retreat I led back in 1998, people have been telling me that these retreats are life-changing, mind-expanding, heart opening – and OF COURSE THEY ARE! My intention is so strong that we have an amazing experience of transformation while also having fun, remembering to laugh and enjoying ourselves together. Let’s have a wonderful time together up in those glorious Blue Ridge Mountains, doing our spiritual work and playing, having fun, eating delicious food, getting spa treatments and relaxing in spiritual community together. Things are so intense right now – let’s get a way for along weekend and open ourselves to new insight and inspiration. We’ll anchor the Highest Vision for our life and let go of limiting habits and beliefs. The mountains alone are worth the trip! Let’s play! Click here for more info!
My Prayer Power Class started Monday! You can get the instant download of Part 1 right now and then join me for the next 3 classes. If you’d like to become a powerful person with prayer, consider joining me in this 4 week class. For many, these prayer practices that I teach have been completely life changing, just as they have for me. Give yourself the gift of this power tool and you’ll benefit the rest of your life! Prayer is the one spiritual practice that I value above all others.
LATEST ACIM PODCAST EPISODE: my topic is The Secret to True Prayer. There is a secret to true prayer, that’s so simple people don’t realize how healing and effective it is. True prayer isn’t about asking for things but about remembering that we already have everything we need in God and diving deeply into that knowing. In this week’s episode, drawing from The Song of Prayer, I unpacked the heart of true prayer as an offering, a letting go, a deep resting into Love itself. I shared my living experience of transformation, shedding the old, and embracing true prayer. True Prayer has healed my mind and transformed my life. It is a power tool!
IT’S NOT TOO LATE! – 75% off! 9 Months | 9 Teachers | Just 99. If you’re ready to dump the old habits that drain you mentally, emotionally and physically, and replace them with habits that support you and increase your capacity for being loving and feeling connected to Spirit, come join me! We’re gaining REAL momentum this year! Change Your Mind About Your Self – new program! With Gary Renard, Alan Cohen, James Twyman, Lisa Natoli, Mark Anthony Lord, Jon Mundy, Terri Wade, Rev Myron Jones and myself. Click here to learn more and get the instant download of yesterday’s inspiring workshop!
