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Friday, October 29, 2010

Get Over It

A church sign reads: " Jesus said: 'Just get over it!'" At first I didn't get it, though I agree with the concept. I never read these words flowing from the lips of Jesus of Nazareth. But then under these words was a reference: Matthew 5:23-24. So I looked it up:

23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."

Of course! Getting over any trauma or hurt or disappointment means to forgive and forget, though often we cannot forget completely. But we can forgive, which decreases emotional stress, and leaves justice in the hands of God. As Maude often said: "God'll get you." I don't have to do anything to impose justice on others. But I must learn to forgive - it is the central teaching of every legitimate spirituality. God will iron out all the creases, and all souls will eventually come to understand that all of life is connected, and that we all create the moment by our thoughts and actions.

Have faith, forgive always, pray constantly, love perfectly.

Learn more about your ego and you:

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose  by Eckhart Tolle

Monday, October 25, 2010

God provides

I have mentioned this in earlier blogs, but it is always good to remind ourselves: God provides. Now, some might say, "Really?"  What about the millions of poverty-stricken people, those who are forced into poverty because of war, violence or natural disasters? How is God providing for THEM?
   This is a changing world - nothing is "stable." Everything changes, and change often involves chaos. How do we deal with the chaos? Remember the image of the hurricane. At the center is the 'eye', a sunny, peaceful balmy experience before and after the violence of the heavy rains and destructive winds. Life is like that. There is chaos, violent winds, craziness going on all around us. The key is to not be carried away by it, not to be a victim of it. Stay in the eye of the storm. There is where we can see more clearly and be open to the inspiration we need to deal with the storm swirling madly around us.
   And in that calm is God. Stay close to God in prayer. You know, so many people have given up on religion and church - and I say - OK - I get it - organized religion has become an institution living for self-preservation. But do you have faith? Then feed that faith. Pray every day. Meditate every day. Speak with God every day/ Nothing to say?  Then just think of the wonder of God and be in the Divine Presence. No matter what you call it,  the Sacred is the same - experience it in your heart (Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you).
   God is neither him nor her, nor christian, islam, jewish or hindu. God is everywhere and in all things - most especially, in our hearts. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call to Her while She is still near. When the time comes, will the Lord find any faith on earth?

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Save it for the end

There was a comic (and I can't remember his name), who, after delivering a joke and the audience began to clap, would say, " Don't clap now, save it for the end!" Of course, it incited more laughter. He kept the audience in a state of joy throughout his gig.

I like that saying - "Save it for the end," because it speaks to me of how we ought to live our lives. Many people want immediate affirmation for their accomplishments and deeds. In fact, there are those who demand it, and if it isn't forthcoming, they are miffed by the silence. The ego is a selfish animal. It feeds on flattery and applause. It loves the spotlight, and can easily become "needy" for the flattery and applause, sometimes to the detriment of the successes and deeds one has accomplished.

What is the ideal way of being in the world?  Everyone has a purpose, and if you haven't "discovered" your purpose, then just living is your purpose. For those who are abundantly gifted, purpose comes easily. The artist, the musician, the doctor, the EMT, the professional athlete, all have found joy in what they do. Your personal joy  comes from fulfilling your prupose. It is just as easy to find joy in a simple life, not living in the spotlight, but rather, simply fulfilling the needs of the day. God is happy with that as much as the famous writer or spiritual teacher who astounds his/her audience.

As we go through life, let's not get wrapped up in the glitz and glory, because most of us won't experience it. Just do what brings you joy. Just do faithfully and wholeheartedly what you're being asked to do at the moment, even if affirmation and applause are not forthcoming. By so doing, we serve the purpose for which God has placed us here.

What is important is that we live our lives with joy and determination, and save the lauds for the end. When we finally meet with our father/mother God, we will be loved and applauded by the One whose reaction matters most. The only thing we should want to hear is, "Well done, good and faithful servant."


Learn more about your ego and you:

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose  by Eckhart Tolle